Two vacuum trucks, donated to To Tatou Vai (TTV) by the Government of Japan, will assist with the management of the water network on Rarotonga.

Exactly a year ago, TTV, the authority managing, maintaining, and operating the water supply network on Rarotonga received four pick-up trucks, two jeeps and two trailers through funding from the Japan International Cooperation Services (JICS), facilitated by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management.

In a statement, To Tatou Vai chief executive officer Tereapii Timoti said it was important to acknowledge the assistance of the Government of Japan for the donation of additional “much needed” specialist vehicles.

“They (the vacuum trucks) will collect sludge from the 10 intakes and transport them to a specially built sludge drying facility, scheduled to be commissioned in June/July this year. In the interim these trucks will assist with the transfer of sludge to temporary drying beds.”

Specifications were completed following the confirmation of the pick-up trucks, the finalisation of the specifications and the manufacture needed more time, Timoti said.

There are two different manufacturers: The chassis of the actual truck is Isuzu, and the body of the vacuum pump is Kanematsu.

TTV nominated four staff who are currently undergoing training to operate the vehicles.

They are undergoing training, classroom, and practical learning, at the TTV head office in Nikao, conducted by technicians from Kanematsu.

The training started earlier last week for the vacuum pump by technicians from Kanematsu. There will also be one day of Zoom training on the truck itself, mainly general information, to be conducted by Isuzu.

“The vacuum pump trucks with 6000 litre holding capacity are 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 trucks will 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.”