Gloria Siwainao and the 5000L tank she won, at her home in Auki.

Date: 18th April 2025

Solomon Water’s “Pay Bills & Win a Tank” Promotion Winner is from Auki.

Auki, Malaita Province – Solomon Water is thrilled to announce Gloria Siwainao, a dedicated Environmental Health Officer from Auki, Malaita Province, as the winner of the “Pay Bills & Win a 5000L Water Tank” promotion. The campaign, which ran from September 2024 to April 2025, was aimed at encouraging timely bill payments while rewarding loyal Solomon Water customers across Honiara, Auki, Tulagi, and Noro.

Gloria had travelled to Honiara for a workshop, with the added intention of purchasing a 3000-litre water tank for her aging mother in Hauporo Village, West Are’are. In a surprising and timely turn of events, she received a call from Solomon Water informing her that she had won a brand-new 5000-litre tank—completely free.

“This was a need come true,” Gloria said. “I had brought money to buy a smaller tank, but winning this bigger one not only saved me money but fulfilled my purpose in a way I never expected.”

Gloria, who pays her water bills regularly—sometimes twice a month—shared that her motivation was not just the promotion, but a strong desire to avoid service disconnection. “Having no water at home is like a disaster. With my job in environmental health, I know how vital water is. I always make sure to stay on top of my bills,” she added.

The tank will be transported from Auki to her home village of Hauporo, where it will provide safe water storage for her elderly mother and family, especially during heavy rains or when water access becomes difficult. “My mother cannot fetch water anymore due to her age. This tank will support our basic needs—washing, cooking, toilets, and most importantly, hygiene.”

As an Environmental Health Officer, Gloria used the opportunity to highlight the importance of water management and bill payments. “Managing water in the Solomon Islands starts with paying your bills. That’s how we keep the water flowing, improve the network, and support upgrades. People need to stop taking water for granted and learn to use it wisely. Clean water is essential for hygiene, especially handwashing, and overall public health.”

She also praised Solomon Water for recent improvements to the Auki network. “The service has really improved. Access to water has expanded across town. I’d like to encourage Solomon Water to continue awareness campaigns—preferably monthly or quarterly—to educate customers on wise water use, how the system works, and to always provide timely updates during water outages so people can prepare.”

Solomon Water Manager Retail, Ms Lucy Habu, said, “We were amazed to hear her story. She came all the way to Honiara to buy a tank for her mother, and now she returns home with a 5000L tank, simply for paying her bills.”

Solomon Water thanks all customers who participated and reminds the public that regular bill payments are vital to maintaining a safe, reliable, and sustainable water supply. Customers are encouraged to use convenient digital payment options such as Iumi Cash, BSP Mobile Banking, BSP Internet Banking, BRED Connect, Ezi Pei, and M-Selen.

This Easter, Solomon Water extends warm greetings to all our customers across the country. May this season of renewal bring hope, joy, and fresh beginnings to your homes and families. Thank you for your continued support in helping us deliver safe and reliable water to our communities.

For more info, contact 44700, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit your nearest Customer Care Centre.

Solomon Water – We’re With You.

Solomon Water is excited to announce the signing of a contract with Plan International Australia (PIA) for the WASH in Schools (WinS) Project.

Plan International was awarded the contract following a competitive tendering process which started in March 2024. Plan will work closely with many local staff from Live and Learn and local trade contractors throughout the duration of the project.

Works are expected to commence on-site in January 2025, with the project due to run for 18 months.

The project is funded by ADB, World Bank and the European Union as part of Solomon Water’s Urban Water supply and Sanitation Sector Project (UWSSSP). WinS is part of UWSSSP Output 3: “Enhanced awareness of hygiene and water issues and sustained improved hygiene behaviour”. The WinS project will complement the completed Hygiene Promotion Project of the WASH program and will help build a growing cadre of young people who become accustomed to having improved toilet and handwashing facilities at school as well as access to clean water for drinking, and who will start to promote this at home. All three of Honiara constituencies are represented in the 11 pre-selected schools that are part of this project.

In the initiation stage PIA will work to establish (or strengthen) a School WASH Committee at each of the 11 schools. Working together they will then develop an Action Plan and assess specific needs and potential improvements that can be delivered under the project.

Once the proposed approach has been approved at each school PIA will move to implementation including procuring suitably qualified local tradies and contractors to renovate or construct new WASH infrastructure in these selected schools.

We’re with you in improving value, improving services and improving for the future, which is all aimed at delivering our vision of “Safe water for a healthy nation”.

Solomon Islands Water Authority is proud to announce the launch of its new mobile application “Solomon WaterCare”; the app is designed to make reporting of illegal connections, water and sewerage leaks, and faulty meters, easier and more efficient for customers and the general public. This innovative app is a significant step towards reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and improving the overall efficiency of our water supply system.

The app offers easy reporting without the need for users to sign up. Simply open the app, tap the "Report Leak" button, take a photo or video of the issue, select the fault type, enter your name and contact details, and send the report. The app automatically reads the user's GPS location, ensuring that the report is accurately pinpointed and directed to SIWA's operations team. Usage of the app is completely free, and all personal details provided by the reporters will be kept confidential. To ensure accurate reporting, users are advised to turn on the GPS location on their phone for precise locations.

SIWA hopes that this app will be used by both customers and non-customers to help reduce NRW and foster a better understanding of the importance of reporting illegal connections and leaks. By making the reporting process simple and confidential, we aim to engage more members of the community in maintaining our water infrastructure and ensuring a reliable water supply for all.

"We are excited to launch this app as it represents a significant advancement in our efforts to improve water management and conservation," said Alice Aote’e; SIWA’s IT Coordinator. "We encourage everyone to download the app and contribute to the betterment of our water resources."

To download the Solomon WaterCare simply scan the QR Code on the Solomon Water facebook page. For more information about the Solomon WaterCare app, visit www.solomonwater.com.sb, contact our customer service on 44700, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Safe water for a healthy nation!

After months of diligent negotiations, Solomon Water is excited to announce a significant milestone in the Noro Water Supply Upgrade Project. On 29 October 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Solomon Water and the landowners of the Ziata source, marking a critical step forward in securing the water supply for Noro. This MOU is the result of a series of meetings and negotiations spanning several months, allowing for much-needed rehabilitation and upgrade of the water supply system, benefiting the community with improved water quality and security.

The signing took place at the Honiara Hotel. Representatives from the three tribal groups; Biku, Talasasa and Zinihite signed the MOU along with Carmine Piantedosi; Solomon Water CEO and Dr. Culwick Togamana; Chairman of the Solomon Water Board. Present at the signing was Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey and reps from the Prime Ministers Office.

Dr. Culwick Togamana & Carmine Piantedosi with signatories from the Biku, Talasasa & Zinihite tribal groups after signing the MOU. Dr. Culwick Togamana & Carmine Piantedosi with signatories from the Biku, Talasasa & Zinihite tribal groups after signing the MOU.

In his remarks, Dr. Christopher Vehe, PS for Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification said “This MOU signing marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between water resource custodians which is you and us; we cannot be successful if we don’t have proper models in place that take into account the interest of land-owners and non-landowners alike”. He urged Solomon Water and the government to continue drive sustainable partnership with our people. He also emphasized that we need to strengthen this unification that was portrayed in the MOU signing today for development.

 

Partnership with Ziata Landowners

The Ziata source serves as a key water source for Noro, and cooperation with the landowners is crucial to the project’s success. The Biku, Talasasa, and Zinihite tribal groups have long been custodians of this source, and their active participation in the MOU discussions demonstrates their commitment to securing a sustainable water future for the region. This inclusive approach ensures that the interests of all stakeholders are respected, and it underscores Solomon Water’s commitment to working collaboratively with local communities.

Final discussions before signing of MOU on Tuesday 29th Nov 2024..

 

Project Overview

The Noro Water Supply Upgrade Project is part of Solomon Water’s Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (UWSSSP), a vital initiative aimed at addressing critical water quality and supply issues in the growing town of Noro. The existing facilities are outdated, and the upgrade project will provide a modern water treatment plant (WTP), ensuring the community has access to safe, reliable drinking water.

The scope of the project includes the complete demolition of existing structures and the design, construction, and installation of a fully operational water intake system, treatment plant, and reservoir. Key components of the upgrade are:

  • Sump and pumping system with water hammer protection
  • Backwash water storage and pumps
  • Chlorination system and sludge treatment pond
  • Electricity, SCADA, PLC, and communication with the reservoir
  • Office space for operators and associated site improvements, including fencing and access
  • Demolition of redundant facilities and refurbishment of the intake and reservoir

These upgrades will transform the water supply infrastructure, ensuring it meets modern standards and can support Noro and surrounding community’s growing demand for clean water.

 

Renders of the New Noro inlet (L) and the New Noro Treatment Plant (R)

Looking Ahead

The signing of the MOU signals the start of construction activities, which will soon commence at the water treatment plant site. The project is expected to take several months to complete, with careful planning to minimize disruption to the public and the environment. By upgrading the water intake, treatment plant, and reservoir, Solomon Water is investing in the long-term resilience of Noro’s water supply, ensuring the town is well-prepared for future growth.

This project marks a pivotal moment in Solomon Water’s broader efforts to upgrade and modernize water infrastructure across the country. The successful collaboration with the Ziata landowners highlights the importance of community involvement in delivering sustainable, high-quality water services to all.

Solomon Water will provide further updates as construction commences.

Traffic Management Plan 1. Current Plan

  • Motorists travelling eastward (to KGVI) will converge into a one-lane at the Panatina Plaza Junction and diverge into two-lanes after SINU Marine School (resealed part of road).
  • Motorists travelling westward (to Kukum) will converge into one-lane before SINU Marine School and diverge into two-lanes after passing the Panatina Plaza Junction.
  • Once parts of road have been resealed, we will issue another Plan with marked converge and diverge locations.

Traffic Management Plan 2. December 2024

  • Motorists travelling eastward (to KGVI) will converge into one-lane at the Panatina Plaza Junction and diverge into two-lanes at SINU Marine School Entrance 2 (resealed part of road).
  • Motorists travelling westward (to Kukum) will converge into one-lane at SINU Marine School Entrance 2 and diverge into a two-lanes after passing the Panatina Plaza Junction.
  • Once parts of road have been resealed, we will issue another Plan with marked converge and diverge locations.

Traffic Management Plan 3. December 2024

  • Motorists travelling eastward (to KGVI) will converge into one-lane at the SINU Kukum Junction and diverge into two-lanes at SINU Marine School Entrance 2 (resealed part of road).
  • Motorists travelling westward (to Kukum) will converge into one-lane at SINU Marine School Entrance 2 and diverge into two-lanes after passing the SINU Kukum Junction.
  • Once parts of road have been resealed, we will issue another Plan with marked converge and diverge locations.

Please note that these Plans may be adjusted based on weather conditions or other external factors.

For more information, please contact Customer Care Service.

Phone: 44700

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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