1. Water in a Changing Environment
The Cook Islands Experience
Pacific Water & Waste Association Conference
Sheraton – Aggie Greys Hotel
– Samoa August 2017

2. Presentation Outline
Water Programs
Water supply
Atolls are supplied via rainwater
Low islands are supplied via ground water and rainwater
Rarotonga is supplied via surface water
Replacing old infrastructure - Te Mato Vai Project
Climate change effects
Depleting groundwater supply in the Pa Enua (outer islands)
Sanitation Upgrade Programs (SUP) – Rarotonga/Aitutaki
Onsite wastewater treatment system upgrades
Move to reticulation

3. Ring-main construction completed Implemented from 2014 – 2016
1.Water Project
Stage 1
Ring-main construction completed
Implemented from 2014 – 2016
A budget of NZ$32m,
57 km of ringmain completed

4. Stage 2 – Upgrades of 10 Water Intakes
Improve access and increase storage capacity
Trunk line replacement
Water treatment
Installation of bulk water metering and connections
“user pay charges”

5. Outer Islands Water Projects
Project 1 - Mangaia
Climate Change effects - Reduced rainfall (surface water supply dried up)
Altemative, Ivirua cave water harvesting project

6. Outer Island Projects example 2 – Mauke
3.Depleting groundwater supply - Mauke
June 2017, groundwater investigation found that since 2007, the groundwater has shallowed by 3.5 meters, from 12m depth.
Why?
New line installed in 2008
Decrease to population
Rainfall is unknown, gauge installed in 2017
Climate Chance
What do you we do?
Minimize pumping rate
Education – water conservation
Monitor rain gauge and the groundwater level frequently

7. 4. Behavior
Conservation of Water Usage; reduction of water leakages and wastage
Maintenance of rainwater tanks and community water tanks;
Groundwater monitoring.

8. Mei Te Vai Kite Vai
Replaced Sanitation Upgrade Programe (18m) – Rarotonga/Aitutaki
Onsite upgrade projects (WMI 2011 – 2014 $4M, SUP 2017 – 2020 $TBD)
Upgraded 383 non compliant domestic systems
Investigation work for Aitutaki to be carried out

9. Move to reticulation for Muri lagoon – Why?
Muri is the most concentrated location for tourists visiting the Cook Islands;
Tests showed that Muri is the most polluted lagoon in Rarotonga;
Current community consultation to seek alternative options have been rejected
Options includes – ocean disposal, treatment plant, ongoing household upgrades;
Muri Community is still ‘undecided’

10. Comparing scenarios
Dec 2015
Dec 2016

11. Way Forward for the Cook Islands
Establishment of SOE – Merging of water and waste water into one institution for Rarotonga
SUP remain to be the biggest challenge given budget constraint (Over $200m NZD)
Water conservation & alternative solution remain to be our challenge for the Cook Islands

12. Meitaki Maata