To Tatou Vai is set to receive six new vehicles to maintain Rarotonga’s water network which consists of 10 intakes accessed through fords and dirt roads.

The Board of To Tatou Vai (TTV), the authority managing, maintaining and operating the water supply network on Rarotonga, acknowledged the kind assistance of the Government of Japan for the donation of much needed vehicles “that will enormously assist with the management of the water network”.

In a statement Board chairman Brian Mason said TTV sought assistance from Japan in late 2020 and over the past two years management has worked closely with the Japan International Cooperation System (JICS) and Ministry of Finance and Economic Management in facilitating the project. 

The vehicles and trailers have now arrived and will be on road once the formalities of receiving them are confirmed.

“At this time, I am pleased to announce that in the very near future, To Tatou Vai will add to its fleet, six new vehicles (four single cab Nissan trucks and two Nissan jeeps), two trailers and two vacuum pump trucks with 6000 litre holding capacity designed to vacuum out fluid and sludge at our water treatment plants. “With these additions to our fleet, we will be in a better position to better manage water supply and treatment. With our current resources we find ourselves reacting as opposed to managing a system. These will definitely assist us in our work.”

The water network consists of 10 intakes and many of them can only be accessed through fords and dirt roads, the statement said.

“This is particularly challenging during inclement weather but all intakes need to be accessed daily. With the kind assistance of the people of Japan this challenge will be made much easier.”