The South Tarawa Water Supply Project (STWSP) is a critical infrastructure initiative designed to tackle the root causes of the high rate of waterborne diseases in Kiribati's capital. The project will achieve this through the construction, rehabilitation, and effective management of new, climate-resilient water supply infrastructure, coupled with programs to promote improved hygiene practices. The overarching impact of the STWSP is to significantly enhance the health outcomes and strengthen the climate change resilience of South Tarawa's population. The primary outcome will be a substantial increase in access to safe and reliable water supplies that are built to withstand climate-related challenges.

With an estimated total budget of US$92.06 million, the project is a major collaborative effort, co-financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the World Bank (WB), alongside the Government of Kiribati (GoK). The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED) acts as the government's executing agency, while the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE) serves as the implementing agency responsible for carrying out the project. The Public Utilities Board (PUB) is a key stakeholder and will be the ultimate operator of the new infrastructure, ensuring its long-term sustainability.

Project Outputs

Output 1: Construction of a Climate resilient and low carbon water supply infrastructure.

1.GDW-1 Desalination Plants (Temakin & McKenzie)

2.GDW-2/1 Construction of Water Supply Networks

•Lot 1, Lot 2, Lot 3, Lot 4

3.GDW-3 Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System

Output 2: Capacity of the PUB to effectively manage water supply infrastructure increased.

1.Operations and Maintenance of GDW-1 Desalination Plants

2.Operations and Maintenance of GDW-2/1 Water Supply Networks (GDW-2/2)

Output 3: Awareness of WASH and climate change issues is raised.

1.WASH Part A: Water is Life

2.WASH Part B: Behavioural Change

3.WASH Part C: Walk the Talk

Output 4: Sanitation Pilots

This component focuses on piloting sanitation activities needed for the South Tarawa Sanitation Project (STSP).

Output 5: Water Resource Management

This component focuses on sector strengthening for safeguarding and management of the existing water reserves. Activities are yet to be defined.

Output 1: Water Supply Infrastructure

GDW-1 Desalination Plants

Capacity Building on GDW-1: Operations and Maintenance Period will commence after full commissioning until end of the contract in June 2027. McK is expected to start on O&M in early 2025. Betio Desal plant operation is currently on-hold due to Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) issue.

Capacity Building on GDW-2/1 O&M (or GDW2/2) will commence as the water networks are constructed. After unsuccessful tender in 2023, The project with PUB are now working on determining ways forward on how to re-package this component GDW2/2. O&M workshops are currently ongoing.

Output 3: WASH Programs

WASH Part B Behavioural Change: Behaviour Change Communication. Currently implemented by Plan International Australia JV with Live and Learn

WASH Part A: Water is Life: Focus on strengthening Sense of ownership of community towards PUB facilities and asset and trust in the PUB. The program was intended to be included in GDW-2/2 component, subject to repackaging by PUB

WASH Part C Walk the Talk: Coordination of all WASH Programs. Have not yet commenced.

Output 4: Sanitation Pilots

Implemented through the STSP PMU

Output 5: Water Resource Management

Discussions and activities are currently ongoing in close collaboration with Bonriki Water Reserve Taskforce and MELAD

STWSP Safeguards

The purpose of the safeguards is to ensure all adverse environmental and social impacts of the project are avoided, minimized or mitigated including protecting the rights of those likely to be affected or marginalized by the development process. STWSP safeguards are based on the principles of ADB and WB; ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009, World Bank Environment and Social Safeguards Policies (Operational/Bank Policies (O.P/BP) and national or country safeguards system (CSS). 

Environmental and Social Impacts Assessments (ESIA): The project is classified as category B for Environment under ADB SPS 2009. There were 3 separate ESIAs developed for Solar PV, Desalination and Water Network components of this project. The ESIA documents contain the policy and legal framework, details of the proposed project component, baseline environmental and social data, potential environmental and social impacts of the project and their mitigation measures. They also introduce the environmental management measures, environmental and social management plans (ESMP) and the roles of the contractors and other actors in environmental management. Click Here to view all ESIA reports including leaflets in local language. 

Resettlement Plan (RP): The project is classified as category B for involuntary resettlement and category C for indigenous peoples under ADB SPS 2009. The proposed water supply infrastructure will not have significant involuntary resettlement impacts, with impacts confined to minor land acquisition/lease and some affected assets such as crops and trees. Three RPs are being prepared for each of the three main components. Kiribati translations of the Executive Summary for each RP are also available. Click Here to view all RPs.  

Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM): A GRM is a set of arrangements that enable local communities, employees, and other affected stakeholders to raise grievances with the project team and seek redress when they perceive a negative impact arising from the project’s activities. The STWSP GRM is in place to address contentious issues, complaints or disputes that arise during the period of its implementation, as part of a necessary project/program safeguards system. Click here to download.

Any person who wishes to seek redress to their grievances will need to fill out a GRM Registering and Monitoring Form via the methods listed below. The Project Safeguards Manager will be available to assist. 

• Visit STWSP Office (Previously known as McDowell Building, MISE Civil Yard, Betio). Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
• Email to GRM.STWSP@mise.gov.ki
• Call to +686 730 33390

STWSP News, Public Awareness and Information Disclosure

As part of awareness raising for STWSP, relevant information and publication will be shared to the public through media outlets and a newsletter to be issued once every six months. For further details, click here.

Tenders: For information on current tenders, please Click Here for GoK's Tenderlink portal.

Contract Award Notices: Please Click Here for details of contract and award notices to winning contractors.

Tenders: For information on current tenders, please Click Here for GoK's Tenderlink portal.

Contract Award Notices: Please Click Here for details of contract and award notices to winning contractors.

Contact Us