Infrastructure Cook Islands will review its National Water Policy, endorsed in 2016, to address the growing water crisis in the country, drawing on insights and solutions from the recent Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference and Expo.

The 15^th Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference and Expo and 8^th Ministers Forum held in Rarotonga last week opened the door to various opportunities and solutions for the Cook Islands, especially for the Pa Enua, according to ICI.

Rarotonga continues to experience a growing water crisis due to water shortages caused by fewer showers while some residents, especially those living in higher areas, continue to experience reduced pressure or no water in their taps.

The purpose of the Cook Islands National Water Policy 2016 is to establish objectives and articulate desired outcomes that will guide planning and implement actions across the country to ensure that “all national water resources are protected from contamination sources and are managed in an integrated, equitable and sustainable way”. The policy also ensures that everyone has access to safe drinking-water; and all public health risks associated with unsafe drinking-water are identified and managed commensurate with local circumstances and in a timely manner.

Elizabeth Wright-Koteka, the Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands, explained that the current National Water Policy 2016 needed to be updated to suit the present and anticipated context for both Rarotonga and the Pa Enua.

“Whilst there were no direct and immediate policy changes, the sharing of information, discussions, particularly lessons learnt and good practices by others will be taken into consideration when we are developing our own policy positions on water,” Wright-Koteka said.

“ICI will certainly be looking to review the water policy positions for the Pa Enua in the coming months.”

Wright-Koteka also stressed that the Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference and Expo and the Ministers Forum were a gateway for Cook Islands to collect ideas to improve its water context.

Asked whether there will be solutions to boost Cook Islands’ current water crisis, Koteka replied “I believe so”.

“The congregating of the key stakeholders in one location certainly helped in meeting face to face with fellow utilities, development partners and sector suppliers.”

She also explained that ICI and To Tatou Vai (TTV), the island’s water agency, took advantage of the opportunity to share experiences with other utilities around the region and identify lessons learnt or good practices that could be applicable to the Cook Islands water context. 

“For ICI, we looked at some of the technologies that can help in water access for the Pa Enua, such as pumps, purification and desalination systems, renewable energy supply tools to power water equipment, etc.,” Wright-Koteka explained.

“In addition, discussions were held about funding support for implementing solutions.”