Thousands of people across five different villages will have access to clean and safe drinking water, thanks to a partnership between the European Union (E.U.) and the Samoan Government.

Five standalone ultra violet (U.V.) filtration system kiosks will this week.be commissioned as part of the project, which is being rolled out by the Government through its Civil Society Support Programme II (C.S.S.P.),

The five communities to benefit from the project have a combined population of approximately 3,500 residents who have relied on untreated water supplies for years.  

The launching of the U.V. Filtration system kiosks will be carried out between 29 September and 1 October 2021 and will complement the Nuusuatia Independent Water Scheme, Sataoa Independent Water Scheme, Aufaga Independent Water Scheme, and Maasina and Lona Independent Water Scheme. 

The five communities are encouraged to fetch drinking water from the kiosks for daily consumption and domestic use; the communities will also be taught about water storage procedures within the households in line with the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (W.A.S.H.) Guidelines.

The villages of Sataoa and Nuusuatia officially launched their U.V. Filtration systems on Wednesday. 

The filtration systems will provide access to clean and safe drinking water through the elimination of bacteria as well as filter sediments from the water.

The E.U. Head of Section (Economic Growth Investments and Agriculture), Barbara Riksen, said they are proud to partner once again with Samoa and in this case the Samoa Independent Water Schemes Association (S.I.W.S.A.).

She said the partnership has enabled them to install five U.V. Flltration system kiosks in five different communities.

“This is a chemical-free process to remove contamination and protect against impurities in the untreated water,” Ms Riksen said in a joint statement with the S.I.W.S.A.

“They are proven to be a quick, reliable and cost effective method of disinfecting water for use.

“The European Union values water as life. It is a precondition for human, animal and plant life as well as an indispensable resource for the economy. 

“Water also plays a fundamental role in the climate regulation cycle and protection of water resources, of fresh and saltwater ecosystems and of the water we drink and bathe in is therefore one of the cornerstones of environmental protection for the European Union.”

The National Authorising Officer, Peseta Noumea Simi said that this is a milestone development for communities that are committed to effective management of their water resource networks in order to enhance access to safe and clean water.

Furthermore, the S.I.W.S.A. President Sulutumu Taiatu Sasa Milo said that the introduction of the U.V. kiosk project has greatly boosted the communities’ morale and discipline in conserving and managing their water system, as they believe in ‘clean healthy water is the cheapest way to better life’. 

“I wish to extend the S.I.W.S.A. sincere thanks and gratitude to the E.U. for this remarkable life-saving contribution.”

The E.U. funded project on water management to the Samoa Independent Water Schemes Association would also contribute to the population of Samoa with access to safe drinking water that complies with Samoa’s 2016 National Drinking Water Standards; improve water quality through Water Safety Plans and strengthen water communities in managing effective water resources.

The U.V. Filtration system kiosks is one of the initiatives under this project and is valued at €65,000 or $200,000 tala.