A multi-million dollar freshwater project for Majuro, the main island and capital of Marshall Islands, which has been stalled for years could finally be built.
A meeting with landowners is scheduled for next week in an effort to move the project forward in anticipation of a scheduled visit in August by a team from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is considering funding the project.
During droughts, the government has been forced to set up small reverse osmosis units around Majuro to ensure access to fresh water for residents — who bring containers to fill (as shown in this 2007 photo). A new water project could increase Majuro's storage capacity by nearly 50 percent. Photo: Supplied / The Marshall Islands Journal
The JICA team, which will include a senior water supply advisor, is coming specifically to review plans for a new 60 million litre resevoir and to prepare the project for its next steps, said Nobuaki Matsui, JICA's Resident Representative in Majuro.
"It's still in the formulation stage, but it is the first priority," said Mr Matsui. If it moves forward, it will increase Majuro's fresh water reservoir capacity by nearly 50 percent, helping the capital maintain water supply during extended droughts that regularly hit the islands.
Additional water storage capacity was sought by the Marshall Islands from Japan as early as the mid-2000s, and has been a high priority for both governments for years. But it was stymied by the government's inability to gain landowner approval for a preferred site near the airport. That challenge may possibly be solved in the near future.
The proposal is to build a reservoir and renovate water treatment plants on Majuro. Majuro, with a population of close to 30,000 people, depends on rain for about 95 percent of its freshwater, making water storage a critical need.
Majuro Water and Sewer Company Manager Joseph Batol confirmed the new reservoir is at the top of the list for the Marshall Islands.
"The 16-million gallon water reservoir is the number one priority project for the government of the Marshall Islands," he said. "The final stage of this water project is to prepare an official master lease between the landowners and the government. The Attorney General's Office and Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs on behalf of the National Government are preparing a master lease."
He said a meeting with landowners is set for next Friday to discuss the lease.
A JICA study team will come to Majuro on August 13-18. This study team aims to prepare the steps that could lead to a feasibility study being conducted by JICA next year. The feasibility study, in turn, would lead to the crafting of the details of the project, construction requirements and costs.
JICA has funded numerous large-scale infrastructure projects for the Marshall Islands in the 30 years it has maintained diplomatic ties with this western Pacific nation. Most recently, it funded construction of a fish market facility and two inter-atoll vessels used to carry passengers and cargo throughout this watery nation.
Mr Matsui said the Marshall Islands government "is determined to sort out" the project and JICA is hoping to see progress on this major investment for improving Majuro's fresh water supply.
"It will increase Majuro's resilience to droughts," Mr Matsui said, adding that 60 million litres of water storage translated into a four-month supply for Majuro. "We hope for progress as soon as possible."
