International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

Enhancing water security for Nauru through better water management and reduced contamination of ground water

Aims: To adopt a working and affordable system for sustainable integrated water resource and wastewater management in Nauru

Activities: Protection of groundwater resources from pollution through sanitation upgrading; Stress reduction of water resources through conservation and improved water management; Capacity building and awareness; Improved planning and coordination.

2586 - PAS Implementing Sustainable Integrated Water Resource and Wastewater Management in the Pacific Island Countries - under the GEF Pacific Alliance for Sustainability


35% reduction in nutrients and organic loads from communities (20 ha)

"3(a) INDICATOR#1: REDUCTION IN SEWAGE POLLUTION IN EWA AND ANETAN
COMMUNITIES
Target: 35% reduction in nutrients and organic loads from communities (20 ha)
Failing sanitation systems have been upgraded in 40 households across Ewa and Anetan and secondary treatment systems (sand filters and baffled reactors) installed to improve effluent prior to irrigation. This approach has dramatically reduced the pollution associated with household wastewater disposal to groundwater and ultimately to coastal waters. Currently studies are underway to confirm the actual pollution reduction. "

"2. RESULTS: PROCESS
Prior to the project commencement there was no policy or governance framework within Nauru for water resource management. Communities were not engaged in water governance or management, and there was minimal commitment or coordination across government on water and sanitation management. In partnership with the Nauru GEF PACC project, the GEF IWRM project has initiated a national water APEX body, and a supporting community leader forum. These mechanisms have been so successful that the waste and energy sector are now using the same bodies to coordinate
nationally. The body has been formalized by Cabinet and the National Water and Sanitation Policy was endorsed by Cabinet in February 2012. Communities have been directly engaged in awareness campaigns, with ongoing direct support. Communities and CSOs are represented on the APEX body and have an increasingly direct say in
how Nauruan water resources and sanitation are managed.

2(a) INDICATOR#1: NATIONAL IWRM STRATEGY IN PLACE BY MID 2012
Target: National Policy in place by 2012
Discrete budget line in place for IWRM by mid-2013 20% increase in national budget allocated to IWRM and WUE At the commencement of the project, there was no national water policy and no ongoing budget commitment to water resource management. As a result of project work and partnerships, the
Republic of Nauru National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Policy was endorsed by Cabinet on the 7th of February 2012. This policy and the accompanying implementation plan identify ongoing financial needs and a government commitment to core funding. The Policy further identified the need to establish a Water Unit within the Department of CIE with two permanent staff.

2(b) INDICATOR#2: MULTI-SECTOR APEX BODY ESTABLISHED
Target: APEX body endorsed by Cabinet
In the absence of national coordination mechanisms, this project facilitated the development of an interim national APEX body, with broad CSO, commerce, community and government membership. As part of the community engagement process, community leaders were brought together for the first time nationally for both formal and informal discussions. The success of this process has seen the waste and energy sectors tap into the same committees and endorsement of the National Water, Energy and Waste APEX Body by Cabinet.

2(c) INDICATOR#3: PROPORTION OF COMMUNITY ENGAGED IN WATER RELATED ISSUES
Target: 30% increases in attendance at awareness raising activities and 30% increase in active engagement activities
Prior to the IWRM project inception workshop, there had been very limited community consultation or engagement on water and sanitation issues, despite widespread general public concern over the availability and quality of the water supply. One of the challenges was the lack of a clear government mechanism for engaging communities in planning, conservation, protection and management. To increase the understanding and acceptance of the project objectives at community level, the PMU, in partnership with the GEF PACC project team, instigated the formation of the Nauru Community Based Organization (NCBO) and facilitated the integration of four NBCO representatives into the Project Steering Committee as members. Community engagement activities are coordinated through NCBO as Community leaders. The project has established an ongoing Community Outreach Program (visiting every community) on awareness raising activities relating to Climate Change, Water and Sanitation issues in partnership with Nauru SNC and the GEF PACC Projects. This has included celebrating international events (e.g. World Water Day and World Food Day) and using them as a medium to raise awareness and bringing together government and non-government communities to work together. This initiative provides direct community access to government water & sanitation services and expertise. "

Photo
Data
Year 2012
Reporting date 14-Mar
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