LELEA’S NEW WATER UPGRADE AND NEW WATER MANAGEMENT.

INTRODUCTION: Lele’a village was a recipient of funding awarded to upgrade their water system. Lelea village is located 10km north east from apia, with a population of approx 300 people. Lelea village has been facing water challenges since the year KEW consult limited was awarded the contract of “Supervision of Works”.

CHALLENGES WITH THE OLD WATER SYSTEM:

OLD WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR LELE’A.

NEW WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR LELE’A

BENEFITS OF NEW WATER SUPPLY UPGRADE

1. WATER RESOURCE UPGRADE.

2. NEW WATER STORAGE

3. PIPELINES UPGRADED Old distribution main line New distribution main line

4. WATER CONTROL: Old household control valvesnew household control valves and Bulk meter at storage tank

5. WATER QUALITY: Prior to water testing's, results have shown 100% E.coli free of water. 1.Household no13 2.Spring 2: Standards to meet: 10 cfu/100mL Zero E-Coli counts in 1 ml Standards to meet: 10 cfu/100mL

6. MORE FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO THE NEW WATER NETWORK 18 Families had access to the old water network, now 28 Families have access to the new water supply upgrade.

7. KEW CONSULT LTD & VILLAGE OF LELE’A, PARTNERSHIP. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LELE’A VILLAGE

KEW CONSULT LTD & VILLAGE OF LELE’A, PARTNERSHIP. KEY OBJECTIVES: a)Encourage and promote effective communication between two parties. b)Encourage Water system operations management c)Improve both water supply and resources of the new water system. d)Effective maintenance plan and strategies. e)Promote water metering. f)Partnership is for 12months and free of charge.

A) ENCOURAGE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION  Both parties to effectively communicate and share knowledge.  Create awareness programme on how to sustain the new water upgrade system  Community to share all valuable information's that contributes to improving water quality and service eg) water leakage, water wastage, etc.

B) IMPROVE WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT. I.Conducting detail surveys for water consumption. II.Conduct technical trainings for operating/maintaining the water supply & resources. III.Monitor daily consumption for every week. Design Factor for New water upgrade system per capita = 150L/day. Current daily consumption for Lele’a village per capita = 816 L/day X 6 X 32

C) IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY OF THE NEW WATER SYSTEM. A) Through thorough investigation, a lot of water wastage was identified at existing household connections. 1.Old toilet system fittings leaking. 2.Leaking Connections.

C) CONT’D: 3. Leaking Valves.

C) IMPROVE BOTH WATER SUPPLY AND RESOURCES OF THE NEW WATER SYSTEM. B)KEW consult ltd in partnership with Lele’a, offered funding for repair of existing household plumbing connections leaking. 1. Supply of all appropriate fittings and connections. 2.Repair and installation of all Toiletry leaking fittings.

C) CONT’D: 1. Repair of all leaking fittings and connection. 2.Fully funded community plumber/ technician for 12months.

D. PAY PER WATER USAGE: Families in lele’a, now pays WST$2.00/month per tap. Through the new partnership, we advise and encourage the community to pay per water usage. Eg: Household connection 1 Household connection 2 2 people (8 taps) 20 people (1 tap) WST$2.00/tap/month

e). Propose to pilot metering: Install flow meters for each household Monitors each households water usage Pin points out families that has high water usage Controls water usage

DISCUSSION:  In completion of the water upgrade, Lele’a water system was still facing problems.  Storage tank was always empty  Bulk meter recording high water usage  Air lock at times  Upgrading Existing household plumbing was not included in the scope of works for the New water upgrade.  KEW consult in partnership with Lelea village, has initiated its water operational management plans and have been able to minimise water loss.

INVITES PARTNERSHIP: We would like to invite any partners that wish to provide assistance with Lelea’s water operational management to join and help out in: 1.Financial assistance 2.Meter piloting 3.Maintenance planning and trainings

CONCLUSION: “ WATER IS EVERYONES BUSINESS”