PACC RMI PRESS RELEASE
Bulk Water Meters are being installed in the Marshall Islands to help the nation manage droughts. The Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) Project has installed these at the national Airport Reservoir with plans in place to install these at the Laura Water Plant also.
The meter will accurately show the amount of leakage through the velocity, volume and drops in water flow measurements and can locate any leaking points.
Bulk water meter installation at the RMI Airport Reservoir
Photo by Majuro Water and Sewer Company
According to recent assessments and studies in the In-Country Consultation Report (2009) for PACC, climate change has direct impact on rainfall patterns in the Marshall Islands. This atoll nation has very limited groundwater supplies and any reduction in rainfall puts the nation at a high risk of drought.
PACC is working to increase water storage and to improve existing water systems at selected pilot sites that is the Airport Reservoir and the Water Plant, to conserve the limited water they have. This will better equip people to withstand future droughts caused by climate change.
"This meter will provide data to help assessments such as the cost benefit analysis to define appropriate adaptation options to be carried out, said the PACC Marshall Islands Coordinator Mr Joseph Cain.
In June last year the Majuro Water and Sewer Company signed an agreement with the project to fund the improvement of the Airport Water Reservoir and provide 11 bulk meters, a leak locator and a flow meter.
Bulk water meter installed at the RMI Airport Reservoir
Photo by Majuro Water and Sewer Company
"One of the adaptation options that PACC is considering based on government priorities is to replace the torn membranes and liners in the water storage tanks at the airport reservoir," said Cain.
The PACC Project consists of 14 member countries and territories and is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme. It is funded by the Global Environment Facility and the Australian Agency for International Development with support from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Climate Change Capacity Development (C3D+).
Contact Details:
Mr Joseph Cain
PACC RMI Coordinator
Office of Environmental Planning & Policy Coordination
E: [email protected]
T: +692 625 7944