Clean, accessible water is vital for human health, a healthy environment, reduces poverty, sustainable economy, peace and security.
The PNG University of Technology through its Appropriate Technology for Community Development Institute (ATCDI) contributes towards improving the livelihood of communities in Papua New Guinea through water and sanitation, electricity and agricultural projects.
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| Pictured is the newly constructed structure that houses the 9500L tank that will supply water tothe community that lives along the highway at Kapari. The community has a population of about100 people that will benefit directly from this project. The rest of the village population, about5,000 people, live 5km further on the coastline. The Abau MP through the District DevelopmentAuthority will now look at funding a pipeline system to distribute water to the rest of village.[Photo by University of Technology, PNG] |
One such initiative is a recent water project the ATCDI delivered to the people of Kapari Village in the Abau District of Central Province. The water project is a joint partnership by the University through the ATCDI Project Funds and Kapari Development Authority with logistics support. UNITECH Vice Chancellor Dr. Ora Renagi said the third mission of the University is to transfer its technology to improve the quality of life of our people and this project has been delivered in fulfilment of that mission.
“Unitech is delivering a very high standard of science and technology and these technologies must be transferred to improve the standards of living of our people. ATCDI has been delivering similar projects around the country with projects in water supply, electricity and agriculture, ”Dr. Renagi added. The Vice Chancellor was full of joy to see the completion of the project and the system delivering tap water at the ground level for the surrounding community.
The system consists of a 34m depth bore with water level at 4m from the surface. The bore was drilled by Lohberger Engineering about 20 years ago. In 2021, Engineers from ATCDI, Mr Sona Anegi and Mr Ronald Dei were brought in to verify the feasibility of the capacity of the water supply and later returned in July this year, to construct the system with a 9500 L tank sitting on a 5m high structure. A solar pump is connected to the system to pump up water from the bore to the water tank and flows by gravity to a tap at ground level.
The water supply system was opened by the member for Abau Open, Hon. Sir Puka Temu. The people of Kapari village celebrated the opening with gospel dancing and singing and expressed heartfelt thanks to Unitech and KDA for erecting the water supply system. Many mothers had tears of joy expressing relief at the challenges of hauling water for the families during dry seasons.
The funding was only enough to demonstrate the technology transfer and supply water to the surrounding community.
Vice Chancellor Dr. Renagi challenged the Abau District Authority to fund the water plumbing and piping system to supply water to the greater Kapari Village which is 5km down the road.
Source : University of Technology
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