“Improving value, Improving services and Improving for the future”
Solomon Water has announced new tariffs effective 1 January 2024 approved by the Solomon Islands Government through the Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE). The new tariff represents an increase of 81 cents per kilolitre (tonne) of water for the lowest domestic tariff band. The tariffs have been reviewed in consideration of the following drivers:
Increasing cost of delivery of water and wastewater services such as rising electricity, maintenance, and infrastructure development expenses.
Continuous improvements Solomon Water will be undertaking to provide safe and reliable water services in our areas of operations.
Loan repayments to the Government for donor-funded water infrastructure projects.
Solomon Water Board Chairman Donald Marahare states “The increase is necessary to ensure the SOE is able to meet rising operating costs and make required investments to ensure that every household and business in its operating areas has access to safe and reliable water”.
We’re with you in improving value, improving services and improving for the future - all aimed at delivering our vision of “Safe water for a healthy nation”.
Media contact:
Ruth Ramoifuila, Communications and Corporate Support Coordinator
Phone: 44662 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Solomon Water wishes to inform customers that it has extended the suspension of water supply from Kongulai and Kombito sources due to elevated turbidity levels caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper's heavy rains. Supply from both water sources were closed on Tuesday this week.
Turbidity, a measure of water cloudiness, results from silt, mud, algae, or other particles in surface water sources.
Solomon Water CEO Carmine Piantedosi says “Solomon Water prioritises the health and safety of our customers and turbidity levels at the source are at very unsafe levels right now. This precautionary measure to turn off supply is essential to avoid providing water unsafe for consumption or use. The disinfection process is ineffective in high turbidity, posing health risks and potential pipe blockages for customers”.
Solomon Water also apologises for the inconvenience and advises customers that supply restoration depends on improving weather conditions.
“We acknowledge the hardship we are all facing during this shutdown. Supply resumption at Kongulai and Kombito hinges on improved weather conditions during this cyclone season,” CEO Carmine says.
Solomon Water is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates on supply restoration to customers.
Media contact:
Ruth Ramoifuila, Communications and Corporate Support Coordinator
Phone: 44662 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Solomon Water is thrilled to be working with Goulburn Valley Water of Australia as part of the ‘Partnerships for a Resilient and Climate Smart Water Sector’ program, facilitated by the Australian Water Association and the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association.
The water utility partnership program, funded through the Australian Water Partnership by the Australian Government, encompasses three vital action areas:
Finding solutions for rising sea levels: This initiative aims to reduce saltwater ingress at Noro water source on New Georgia Island, ensuring a sustainable source of freshwater for the region.
Reducing water loss from the water system in Honiara: A pilot project will be launched in three district metered areas (DMAs) to combat water loss, which is a pressing issue for Solomon Water. This will improve the efficiency and sustainability of the water distribution system.
Strengthening the meter-to-cash process: This initiative will map and identify areas for development within the same areas piloted in the NRW project - all towards streamlining and strengthening Solomon Water’s billing and revenue collection processes.
Chief Operations Officer Scravin Tongi emphasized the value of this twinning program to Solomon Water's operations and business, stating, "This partnership is a game-changer for us. It enables us to access international expertise and resources, which will significantly enhance our capacity to address the climate change and water-related challenges we face."
Revenue and Debt Recovery Coordinator Lucy Bonunga expressed her appreciation of the twinning program, saying, "Working with Goulburn Valley Water to reduce water loss in Honiara is a golden opportunity for us. Water loss is a significant concern for Solomon Water, and collaborating with our Australian counterparts will help us develop effective strategies to combat this issue head-on.”
The partnership program marks a significant step toward building a more resilient and climate-smart water sector in the Solomon Islands.
Monica, Goulburn Valley Water lead for the meter to cash action area, said that the program presents unique prospects to create lasting solutions to mutual water sector issues, "This has been an incredible opportunity to work together collaboratively, build relationships, share problems, and look at solutions to meet our shared vision of being able to provide safe and reliable water.”
For Dan Wooley, Goulburn Valley Water lead for the water loss project, it was his first international experience. He had this to say about his experience, "I cannot believe I have been so lucky to be involved in such an amazing program. It’s been an eye-opening, mind-blowing, yet humbling experience. This has been a life-changing experience in so many ways. I would like to thank AWA and Solomon Water for this opportunity to work alongside the Solomon Water team, to build bonds with an international water utility, and work together to build a better, more sustainable future for everyone.”
Mark Mitchell, Goulburn Valley Water lead for the saline intrusion project on New Georgia Island, said the partnership program better positioned the Goulburn Valley Water team to provide advice and support that would respond to the challenges and barriers Solomon Water faced. "This is a fantastic opportunity to work with like-minded peers facing similar climate change issues in a uniquely different environment. It broadened my understanding of the different challenges our partners in the Pacific Islands face.”
The Solomon Water and Goulburn Valley Water twinning partnership started in March 2023, and aims to create a long-term beneficial relationship between the two organisations.
Media contact:
Ruth Ramoifuila, Communications and Corporate Support Coordinator
Phone: 44662 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Solomon Water Non Revenue Water Team with Goulburn Valley Water operations specialist Dan Wooley. Photo: AWA/Zac Rudge.Monica and Dan from Goulburn Valley Water joined the Solomon Water Revenue Team to identify challenges with water metering in the Honiara network. Photo: AWA/Zac Rudge.
Solomon Water has extended the suspension of water supply from Kongulai and Kombito sources due to high turbidity levels caused by the recent heavy rains.
Turbidity is a measurement of how cloudy the water is in surface water sources and can be caused by silt, mud, algae, or other particles in the water.
The action to turn off supply is necessary to ensure we do not supply water that is unsafe for drink or use. Our disinfection process cannot kill any bacteria when there is high turbidity which makes it unsafe and poses health risks to customers. High turbidity in water will also clog pipes and customers facilities.
To its valued customer, Solomon Water apologises for any inconvenience caused by this necessary action in ensuring safe water supply to its customers.
“We acknowledge the hardship all of us are experiencing right now and want to assure customers and the public thatSolomon Water strives to provide safe and clean water at all times” says Solomon Water CEO Carmine Piantedosi. “We cannot compromise on the health and safety of our customers when our water sources have high turbidity, which is why we took this necessary action to turn off supply”.
Solomon Water is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates to customers on when the supply will be restored.
Media contact:
Ruth Ramoifuila, Communications and Corporate Support Coordinator
Phone: 44662 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Solomon Water has successfully completed a comprehensive training program in gender equality and gender-based violence for staff delivered by national NGO, the Family Support Center. Gender-based violence is any act or threat of violence that is committed against someone because of their sex.
The training was part of Solomon Water’s obligation to the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project to ensure Solomon Water staff attend gender training to enhance staff awareness of gender, gender equality, gender-based violence, and related topics while facilitating changes in attitudes and behaviors.
The comprehensive and enriching training covered areas in:
Gender equality - difference between sex and gender, gender norms, power relations.
Violence in relationships and violence against women -statistics of gender based violence in the Solomon Islands and the Pacific, definition of domestic violence, types/forms and examples of violence, harassment in the workplace, violence root causes, violence risk factors and impacts of violence.
The cycle of violence: myths and attitudes that support violence against women and girls, the cycle of violence – break the cycle or the silence.
Human rights, national and international laws relation to violence: Family Protection Act (2014), Penal Code amended sexual offences Act 2016, the Solomon Islands Constitution 1978, and ratified UN conventions including CEDAW and CRC.
Head of Corporate Services Michelle Maelaua said “We wanted staff to be trained in social issues affecting individuals and workforces not only because of our obligations to our project, but also so that staff would be able to contribute to efforts to prevent violence and harassment in the workplace and in their homes and communities”.
"We are grateful for our partnership with the Family Support Center to deliver this training for our staff. FSC's professional delivery and the comprehensive content of the training program have been invaluable”.
“Gender inequality and gender-based violence can impact any person, in any situation,” said Manager of Family Support Center, Lorio Sisiolo. “That is why it is so critical for the Family Support Centre to offer specialist trainings in these two areas so that we can continue to increase the public awareness and advocacy to eliminate and prevent gender based violence and violence against women in the country. We were excited to partner with Solomon Water to train their staff across their different departments and thank their management and staff in making this training possible".
Over 100 staff participated in the gender equality and gender-based violence training over September and October this year.
Solomon Water is committed to building a workforce that embraces the values of respect and of gender equality, and this training is a significant step towards achieving that goal.
We’re with you in improving value, improving services and improving for the future - all aimed at delivering our vision of “Safe water for a healthy nation”.
Media contact:
Ruth Ramoifuila, Communications and Corporate Support Coordinator
Phone: 44662 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Procurement Officer Vanessa Taylor and Land Management Officer Agnes Atkin Aihunu presenting their group’s domestic violence tree activity during the training at Solomon Water’s Mataniko Conference Room.Family Support Center Legal Officer Aroma Ofasia presenting the training’s law session to Solomon Water male staff during the training at Solomon Water’s Mataniko Conference Room. Photo from Family Support Center.Solomon Water male staff presenting their domestic violence tree group activity during the training at Solomon Water’s Mataniko Conference Room.
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