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.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SolomonWater  

Building for the Future: Solomon Islands Water Authority’s Fisheries to Ranadi roundabout Sewer Project.

As Honiara continues to grow, so too does the need for better infrastructure to support the city's population. One of the most critical issues facing the capital today is sanitation. SIWA is stepping up to meet this challenge with its ambitious new Fisheries to Telekom Sewer project—a long-term solution that will address the sanitation needs of both current and future generations.

The Importance of Sanitation

While modern conveniences often go unnoticed, the role of proper sanitation is undeniably crucial to public health. A poll conducted by the British Medical Journal named sanitation as the greatest medical milestone of the last 150 years. Without effective systems to manage wastewater, communities face increased risks of disease, environmental damage, and unsanitary living conditions.

In Honiara, only around 700 properties are connected to the main sewer system, leaving many residents reliant on septic tanks or even less effective waste disposal methods. This is where the new sewer comes in. By laying down this extensive new pipe network, SIWA is not only enhancing the city’s current capabilities but also creating the capacity for over 13,000 new sewer connections. This investment will meet the city’s needs for at least the next 30 years.

The Scale of the Project

At first glance, it may be hard to grasp the sheer size of the project. The new sewer is a massive undertaking, with pipe diameters reaching up to 700mm—large enough for an adult to comfortably crawl through. The pipes are buried deep underground, with the deepest sections near Ranadi Roundabout being over 6 meters below the surface. This depth is necessary to ensure the system can rely on gravity to transport wastewater efficiently.

What Makes This Project So Complex?

Laying down a sewer of this magnitude comes with its own set of challenges. One of the most striking aspects of the project is the extensive use of heavy machinery. Excavators dig the trenches, drive in steel sheet piles to support the walls, and handle the removal and sorting of materials. As the construction is happening below the water table, powerful pumps are also working around the clock to drain excess water from the trench.

The steel sheet piles—those large W-shaped bare metal sections lining the edges of the trenches—are key to ensuring worker safety. These piles are driven deep into the ground and propped into place to prevent the trench from collapsing while workers lay the pipes. Safety protocols are stringent, as these large trenches can become hazardous without the right supports in place.

An added layer of complexity comes from the need for UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) surveys. Honiara, like many other areas in the Solomon Islands, still bears remnants of World War II. Before any section of the trench can be dug, thorough surveys must be conducted to ensure there are no unexploded munitions, and these surveys must be repeated at multiple levels of depth as the trench progresses.

Environmental Responsibility

Despite the scale of the excavation—an estimated 15 tonnes of material are removed for every meter of trench—SIWA is committed to reducing the environmental impact of the project. The company is taking steps to reuse as much excavated material as possible for backfilling, minimizing waste and limiting the number of truckloads that need to be transported offsite.

When Will It Be Done?

SIWA understands the inconvenience that construction can cause for residents and commuters. However, the benefits of the new sewer will far outweigh the temporary disruptions. The full project is expected to be completed by April 2025, with some sections of the road reopening earlier to help ease traffic congestion.

A Cleaner, Healthier Future for Honiara

Once complete, the Fisheries to Ranadi Sewer project will be a cornerstone of Honiara’s urban infrastructure. It will provide the city with the capacity to grow, meet its sanitation needs, and protect public health for decades to come. This is more than just a construction project—it’s a critical investment in the well-being and future of the people of Honiara.

SIWA remains committed to providing reliable, safe, and sustainable sanitation services to support Honiara’s continued development. This sewer project is one part of a broader vision for a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient city.

SIWA will continue to keep the public informed about the progress of the Fisheries to Telekom Sewer project. Monthly updates will be provided to ensure the community stays up to date on construction milestones, road closures, and any developments related to the project. These updates will be available on Solomon Water’s website, social media platforms, and through regular press releases, allowing residents and stakeholders to follow the project’s journey until its completion in April 2025.

 

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.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SolomonWater  

Solomon Water (SW) is pleased to announce the successful site visit to the Ziata source site as part of the Noro Upgrade Project. Solomon Water's CEO; Carmine Piantedosi, along with his staff and a representative from the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Electrification, traveled to Munda on the morning of Friday, June 7, and returned to Honiara on Saturday, June 8, 2024.

The purpose of this trip was to follow up on the meeting held with landowners at Fairyland Restaurant on Thursday, May 16, 2024, where the Noro upgrade project was discussed. During the site visit, the team aimed to show the landowners the existing facilities and explain the scope of the upcoming upgrade works.

The consultations during this visit were successful, with the participating landowning groups expressing their support for the upgrade works, which are scheduled to commence around July.

Following this visit, Solomon Water will continue consultations with landowner representatives leading up to the project’s start date to ensure ongoing collaboration and support.

Solomon Water appreciates the cooperation and support of the landowning groups and looks forward to further collaborative efforts to enhance water infrastructure in the Noro region.

 “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”.”

Ends//

 

Solomon Water CEO, Carmine Piantedosi and Solomon Water staff with Ziata landowners during the site visit.

Solomon Water is pleased to provide an important update on the Sewer Works – Fisheries to Ranadi Roundabout project. This project, which aims to significantly enhance the sewer infrastructure in Ranadi, is progressing despite some challenges.

The project is being executed in five stages. Stage 5 was already completed. Stages 1 and 2 are currently underway. Stage 1 is from the Ranadi/Telekom Roundabout to ANZ Building Turn-In. Stage 2 is from the ANZ Building Turn-In to Solo Gas.

The detailed schedule for each stage is presented in the table below:

STAGE

PROJECT SITE

STATUS

EXPECTED COMPLETION

1

From Ranadi/Telekom Roundabout to ANZ Building Turn-In

Under construction

October 2024

2

From ANZ Building Turn-In to Solo Gas

Under construction

July 5, 2024

3

From Solo Gas to Panatina Plaza

Following Stage 2 completion

October 3, 2024

 

4

From Panatina Plaza to SINU Turn-In

Following Stage 3 completion

November 2024

5

From Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to Panatina Plaza

Completed

August 2023

Project Manager Brian Fatai explains the project has experienced some challenges and adjustments. “We have encountered hard ground conditions at both work fronts, impacting our sheet piling and excavation activities resulting in delays. We are actively working to mitigate these challenges and will provide updates as the project progresses.”

The Project Manager also appealed for public understanding from the public and road users. We understand the significant impact this work has on road users, businesses, schools and residents east of Honiara. To better manage expectations and ensure smooth traffic flow, we will publish traffic staging map notices in our newspapers and on the Solomon Water Facebook page. This map will help the public understand the ongoing traffic stages over the next six months”.

Solomon Water's target for sewerage services in Honiara is to increase sewerage coverage to thirty percent of residential properties by 2047. Solomon Water CEO Carmine Piantedosi expressed thanks for the public’s patience and cooperation while the project is underway. “We acknowledge the hardship experienced due to the road disruptions right now and we apologise for the inconvenience this is causing especially for the travelling public, businesses and schools. We appeal for your continued patience and cooperation. Your understanding and collaboration are crucial as we work to complete this vital infrastructure project.”

The Sewer Works – Fisheries to Ranadi Roundabout project, funded by the Solomon Islands Government, is a key part of Solomon Water’s infrastructure development program. Solomon Water will continue to update the public on the project's progress.

Contact Information:

For further information and updates about the Sewer Works – Fisheries to Ranadi Roundabout project, please contact Solomon Water on 44700.

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.

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Photo caption: Part of the trench at the stage one project site from Ranadi/Telekom Roundabout to ANZ Building Turn-In. The water will be pumped out to backfill the trench.

 

 

Photo caption: At the stage two project site. Construction will run from the ANZ Building turn-in to Solo Gas.
Photo caption: Solomon Water contractors at the stage two project site, in front of the SINU Marine School campus. The stage two project site is from the ANZ Building turn-in to Solo Gas.
Photo caption: A Solomon Water contractor standing inside the trench at the stage two project site, next to the new sewerage pipe. The trench is about four meters deep. The stage two project site is from the ANZ Building turn-in to Solo Gas.