Good access to clean drinking water is a struggle for many islands in Vanuatu particularly the smaller offshore islands. Mothers and fathers have to walk long distances to fetch water, and some have to rely on well water for cooking and drinking while people in the urban areas have water at their doorsteps.
The people of Marae Community on Emae Island are no different. They rely on well water for decades. The good news is that the new generations of 2025 will no longer be facing the same issue.
On March 4th, 2025, at the eve of the Chief’s day, the Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) with a delegation of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (LDS) launched and handover the Marae Community Solar Water System project to the people and community of Marae Village, Emae island. Marae village has a population of over 120 people including men, women and children.
The water system which costs over 6 million vatu on material and labor was built by the contractor Mark Bethel and the community of Marae. It was funded by the LDS Church and co-financed by the URA and the Marae Community with technical oversight from the Department of Water. The water system consists of a solar water pump, 22,000litres of water storage, water transmission and distribution pipes and 15 tap stands. The number of tap stands will continue to increase as more households are connected.
What is more interesting is that each tap stand has a water meter connected to measure consumption, which will be charged just like customers in Vila who are connected to the Unelco water network. Currently, these meters are being used to collect data on customer consumption while a flat tariff of 300vt per household is applied. This consumption data will help the URA determine an appropriate tariff for the community water system. Once the tariff is finalized, the URA will assist the water committee in its implementation by providing training on the financial management aspect of the system while the Department of water will provide technical training on basic plumping. Financial management and technical training are considered an important aspect of sustainability of the water system. Knowledge and experience gained by the URA during the implementation stage of the water supply system will inform the regulatory approach going forward with respect to rural community water supply systems
At the opening, the Chief Executive Officer of the URA, Mr Jesse Benjamin underscored the importance of households paying for their monthly water bills. “We all need to pay our water bills at the end of each month to the Water Committee. These funds will be used to maintain the water system and replace parts when its broken. The water system is working well now and its in your hand to ensure the system continues to operate for the next 5 - 10 years”.
Speaking on behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints who is the main donor for the project, Mr Paul Kaun, President of LDS Church in Port Vila said “ LDS Church is very happy to assist in addressing the water need of the community. Supporting brothers and sisters in need is a core duty of the Church as Christ has entrusted the church to do so.” He mentioned that it is not the first time the LDS Church has provided support to Emae. LDS Church has chartered a boat with relief supplies to Emae during a major flood in 2010.
The Chief of Marae Community, Mr Tisomorimata expressed his heart felt appreciation to the delegation from URA and LDS Church for the generous support provided to his community that will change their way of life in a big way. “We are forever grateful for the support provided to us by URA and LDS Church. Our people will now enjoy water at their doorstep and never have to worry about lifting the buckets from wells again”