Islanders get desalination machines for fresh water

A K200,000 water desalination project has delivered water desalination machines to low lying atolls, especially the El Nino-affected areas in the Samarai-Murua district to turn sea water into fresh water.
Local MP Isi Henry Leonard said this was first of its kind and he was piloting the project in his district.
He said the machines were powered by six solar panels and two wind turbines.
“These machines can purify water, provide light and a freezer for storing fresh catch,” he said.
“We are targeting the climate change-impacted areas where sea level rise is an issue.”
Two of this machines have already been delivered. One to the people of Brooker in the Lousiade Archipelago and the other to Budibudi Island.
“The machine at Brooker was put up and it will be officially opened soon, whereas the one for Budibudi is now being transported,” he said.
“The whole electorate has water problems so not only the atoll islands will be receiving these machines but some larger islands as well to purify polluted water.”
Leonard said an additional 21 desalination machines would be given out soon to other vulnerable areas as per the agreement with distributor Y’s Global Vision Incorporation.
This project is jointly funded by the district Japanese Agency for International Cooperation, which is also helping to supervise the installation.
The cost of a single machine could not be confirmed because the machines differ in sizes and their prices differ as well.
Project manager for Pacific International Ltd Jack Talai said the cost of the project was affordable but due to the lack of electricity in rural areas, the prices have soared.