TA 8306 RMI
Ebeye Water Supply and Sanitation Project
A. Background
1. The proposed Ebeye Water and Sanitation Project (“the project”) will address factors which result in the high incidence of waterborne disease on Ebeye, an island within Kwajalein Atoll.1 Ebeye has an area of approximately 31 hectares and a population of more than 9,600, (population density is about 31,000 persons per km2 and is amongst the ten most densely populated islands in the world). The project will improve access to safe water and sanitation and promote behavioral change to improve hygiene standards.
2. High incidence of waterborne disease. Ebeye has a high incidence of waterborne disease. The number of cases of waterborne disease, primarily gastroenteritis, recorded by Ebeye Hospital since 2001 averages 1,182 cases per year. The high incidence of waterborne disease is attributed to: (i) limited access to safe water i.e. across the country only one in five households does not have access to safe water; (ii) ineffective hygiene behaviors, particularly among children; and (iii) a dilapidated sanitation system.
3. Limited sources of fresh water. The primary sources of potable water for households on Ebeye are the public fresh water supply (84%) provided by the Kwajalein Atoll Joint Utilities Resources (KAJUR) Inc.2; household rainwater tanks (15%); and bottled water (1%). Sources of potable water are household rainwater harvesting and a reverse osmosis desalination (RO) plant operated by KAJUR. Groundwater reserves are minimal and there are no freshwater streams. The Ebeye RO plant, commissioned in 2001, uses outdated RO technology and is energy inefficient and requires about 3 times more energy to produce the equivalent volume of potable water than modern RO plants. Currently, the RO plant produces 110,000 gallons potentially providing 11.4 gallons (44 liters) per day to every person. However, the potable water available from fresh water supply system is substantially less due to leakage from the fresh water supply network and uncontrolled overflows from water reservoirs. Rainwater harvesting is being increasingly utilized by households to increase access to potable water but is not secure due to seasonal rainfall patterns and more frequent droughts. In drought years water stored in rainwater tanks is rapidly consumed and rainwater tanks may remain un- replenished for long periods. However, climate projections for the Marshall Islands indicate higher air and sea temperatures and higher rainfall and rainwater harvesting will become increasingly important for supplementing household freshwater supplies.
4. Need to enhance awareness on hygiene and water related issues. Public awareness and education on water related issues is low and awareness and education activities and outreach are limited. A long-duration hygiene and water awareness campaign is needed to foster sustained behavioral change required for improved hygiene and reduced incidence of waterborne diseases. Campaigns need to focus on children, which comprise 45% of Ebeye’s population, through programs delivered in school and to womens groups.
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1 The project also includes a project preparatory technical assistance (PPTA) described in Appendix 4 and should be approved by Vice-President Operations concurrently with the concept paper.
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2 KAJUR also provides electricity generation and distribution and sewerage services on Ebeye. KAJUR also operates a salt water distribution network for the operation of the sewerage network.
5. Dilapidated sewer system. The Ebeye saltwater sewerage system has progressively failed due to lack of maintenance since it’s commissioning in 1967. Salt water for the operation of the sewer system is sourced from two deep wells and is pumped through a dedicated saltwater reticulation network to most areas on Ebeye. Pressure in the saltwater reticulation mains is very low and is insufficient for operation of fire hydrants. The sewage treatment plant has not operated since 2001 and untreated sewage is discharged into the lagoon. The sewage pump stations have limited pumping capacity and frequently fail and there is significant infiltration of seawater into the sewers. The high seawater infiltration and pump failures often result in sewage overflows from manholes and pump stations into the streets. Overflows from the sewerage network and discharge of raw sewage to the lagoon present a serious health and environmental hazard. Water quality testing by the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that the marine water quality at several locations on Ebeye’s lagoon foreshore does not meet EPA standards due to sewage contamination.
6. Unsustainable water and sewerage services. Over the past 6 fiscal years, KAJUR has recorded operating losses of $2 million or more. Electricity services account for about 88% of KAJUR’s operating revenue. Water supply and sewerage services are provided by KAJUR free of charge. KAJUR has financed the gap between expenditure and operating revenues through grants from the United States.3 KAJUR has developed a reform strategy to improve its financial sustainability through improved operational efficiency and increased revenues. The reform strategy includes plans to install consumer meters and the introduction of volumetric-based charges for water supply and sewerage services. However, tariff policies have yet to be developed. Asset planning and improved management is essential for KAJUR to become financially and technically sustainable.
7. Alignment with RMI, Kwajalein Atoll Development Authority, and ADB Strategies. The project is consistent with RMI’s strategic development strategy, Vision 2018, for improved hygiene and sanitation and reliable and affordable water and sanitation infrastructure. The project supports the Kwajalein Development Plan (“INKARE”) and the recommendations of the Ebeye 2010 Infrastructure Survey Report (“SWET report”). The project is included in RMI Country Operations Business Plan 2013-2015 which includes a strategic focus of infrastructure development. The project is aligned with: (i) ADB’s Strategy 2020 to contribute to improved public health through water and sanitation investments; (ii) ADB’s Approach to Assisting the Pacific (2010– 2014) to improve the supply and delivery of water and sanitation services; and (iii) ADB’s Water Policy and Water Operational Plan 2011-2020 to increase efficiency and productivity in the delivery of water services and increase investments in sanitation and wastewater management.
8. Project Impact and Outcomes. The project impact will be reduced incidence of waterborne disease and improved environmental conditions on Ebeye. The outcome of the project will be improved access to safe water and improved sanitation. Project
3 Through the RMI - United States Compact of Free association.
outputs will include: (i) Output 1 - enhanced awareness of hygiene and water issues and sustained improved hygiene behavior; (ii) Output 2 - secure and safe freshwater supplies; (iii) Output 3 - effective, efficient and safe sewerage services; and (iv) Output 4 - KAJUR is financially and technically sustainable.
9. Project Preparatory Technical Assistance (PPTA). A PPTA is required to prepare the project. The PPTA will assist KAJUR to prepare asset management plans (AMPs) to improve delivery of water supply and sanitation services on Ebeye and build the financial and technical sustainability of KAJUR. The PPTA will also prepare detailed designs and bidding documents and undertake the due diligence for an ensuing investment project comprising selected high priority water supply, sanitation, and electricity supply investments.
10. The Office of the Chief Secretary will be the executing agency (EA) and KAJUR will be the implementing agency (IA) for the PPTA. A project steering committee (PSC) will be established to provide strategic direction and guidance for the PPTA and ensuing project and will meet at least once every quarter. 4 A project management unit (PMU) will be established within KAJUR and will be responsible for the overall implementation of the PPTA and ensuing project.5 Consultants will be recruited to assist the PMU implement the PPTA.
