A training course on plumbing is being offered by the Samoa Independent Water Schemes Association (S.I.W.S.A.) in collaboration with the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (A.P.T.C.) seeking to benefit village water communities.

The training was funded by the European Union (E.U.) water management project which aims to encourage the village water committees to take ownership of the management and maintenance of their water networks.  

The 12-day training covered courses on work, health and safety requirements, using plumbing hand and power tools, fabricating and installing non-ferrous pressure piping, installing and adjusting water service controls and devices and connecting and installation of storage tanks to a domestic water supply.

According to the Head of Economic Cooperation, Investment and Agriculture Sectors at the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, Barbara Riksen, "the European Union is proud to be working together with A.P.T.C. and to provide plumbing courses for the eighteen communities,” she said in a joint statement from E.U. and S.I.W.S.A.

Ms. Riksen said that through this training, the trained plumbers will be able to keep the plumbing system well maintained and functional, to remove liquid wastes efficiently, and to minimise risk of failure of the system through vigilance and quality assurance.

“This will ensure the supply of safe drinking water in adequate quantities.

“We congratulate the plumbers with their successful participation in the plumbing training course and many congratulations to the only female graduate today; you are an inspiration to many around you. 

“We also applaud the S.I.W.S.A. for making this training course a success." 

A total of 13 participants which include one female, have successfully completed the plumbing course and received completion certificates on Wednesday. 

The participants originate from six Independent Water Scheme communities: Maasina, Lona, Laulii, Luatuanuu, Falevao  and Saoluafata.

So far, this is the third cohort that had completed their plumbing training under this initiative by the S.I.W.S.A.  

The S.I.W.S.A. Program Manager, Clarissa Laulala, said that a total of 18 Independent Water Schemes (I.W.S.) have benefitted from the three plumbing short courses.

“The plumbing courses have complemented other initiatives offered under this project such as the development of drinking water safety plans for all I.W.S., the pilot of 10 UV Filter Kiosks for communities' drinking water and the pilot of water meters at an I.W.S. to promote water management and conservation,” she said.

“It is important that those responsible for the operations and management of their network systems be upskilled for the sustainability of the initiatives offered under this project.

“Once again we thank the European Union for the continuous support offered to our vulnerable communities."  

Also, following this event, on the 23 November, 2021, under the same project, the I.W.S.A. will be launching its final Ultra Violet Filtration System Kiosk in the village of Salailua in the big island of Savaii. This is the 10th Kiosk to be installed in Samoa and in total: these UV Kiosks will benefit a population of more than six thousand people in the I.W.S. communities.