International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

Niue: Using integrated land use, water supply and wastewater management as a protection model for the Alofi town groundwater supply and nearshore reef fishery

Aims: To protect the Alofi groundwater, well field and near shore area from over-abstraction and land-based pollution through an IWRM framework

Activities: Improving management of hazardous waste, solid waste, wastewater to reduce run-off from industries, fisheries processing, agriculture and roads; Awareness raising and planning for water conservation and demand management; Establishment of groundwater protection zones; Hydrogeological and water quality surveys for maintenance of well field; Water policy and planning.

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


"3(a) INDICATOR#1: REDUCTION IN DRINKING WATER RESOURCES POLLUTION
Target: Guideline/standards on fuel and oil storage including waste oil
Waste oil storage has ben poorly managed in Niue, with a lack of commitments from national government and private sector in securing appropriate mechanism to address these issues. An inventory at he start of the GEF Pacific IWRM Project identified approximately 25 kL of waste oil stored in leaking drums and seeping into the ground and ultimately potentially into the groundwater.
The project has established a national collection and disposal mechanism, and 56% of national waste oil has ben collected and stored in safe containers and shipped to New Zealand for recycling and/or safe disposal. The empty containers used to ship fuel to Niue are used to transport he waste oil minimizing transport costs. A guideline has been drafted for NWSC
endorsement before submersion to Cabinet for endorsement of these mechanism particular with funding resources to
maintain such mechanism in the future for Niue."

"2. RESULTS: PROCESS
Despite significant groundwater resources, Niue’s governance framework for water management prior to the project needed updating as water resource and sanitation management was not coordinated, had minimal engagement across sectors and key stakeholders and the groundwater resource was not adequately protected. Through the project and with support of the EU IWRM partner project, legislation has ben updated to provide the governance framework; national and district coordination bodies have ben developed to provide direction and direct engagement for the community, government sectors and other stakeholders in water management decisions and national and village water safety plans have ben endorsed and are currently being implemented.


2(a) INDICATOR#1: REVISED LEGISLATION PROTECTING WATER
Target: Enactment of the Niue Water Bil 2012
The lack of regulations supporting water protection and water use efficiency meant hat here were very limited options for managing potential impacts on the main drinking water resources in Niue, the groundwater lens. Additionally, the existing legislative framework did not support integration of water resources management in Niue, with individual Ministry responsibilities linked to specific legislation.
The enactment of the Niue Water Act 2012 has provided the framework for regulations to address concerns relating to water use efficiency, allocation and protection of drinking water resources. Additionally, it provides for the development of a national Water Resource Management Plan and integration of water and sanitation management across government and other stakeholders, administering the Act in an integrated approach across the separate agencies.

2(b) INDICATOR#2: VILLAGE WATERS MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR ALOFI NORTH AND ALOFI SOUTH VILLAGE COMMUNITIES IMPLEMENTED
Target: “Community to Cabinet” Village Water Management Plans Endorsed by Cabinet and Audited
Prior to the GEF IWRM project, water management in Niue was broadly considered the responsibility of government, with very little community engagement. Household water use rates were amongst he highest in the world, reflecting a lack of understanding and ownership of water resource management. Under the project, Village Waters Management Plans were developed to engage communities in water management, to strengthen communications on key water issues and to foster a sense of ownership. The development of Village Water Management Plans in both Alofi South and Alofi North has also
provided a mechanism for the community to communicate with its national partners including the Cabinet Ministers, as well as different groups within village communities. Important developments as part of this process have included gender mainstreaming and the increased capacity of communities to support he implementation of drinking water safety plans. This in turn has contributed to a measured reduction in household water use.

2(b) INDICATOR#2: VILLAGE WATERS MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR ALOFI NORTH AND ALOFI SOUTH VILLAGE COMMUNITIES IMPLEMENTED
Target: “Community to Cabinet” Village Water Management Plans Endorsed by Cabinet and Audited
Prior to the GEF IWRM project, water management in Niue was broadly considered the responsibility of government, with very little community engagement. Household water use rates were amongst he highest in the world, reflecting a lack of understanding and ownership of water resource management. Under the project, Village Waters Management Plans were developed to engage communities in water management, to strengthen communications on key water issues and to foster a sense of ownership. The development of Village Water Management Plans in both Alofi South and Alofi North has also
provided a mechanism for the community to communicate with its national partners including the Cabinet Ministers, as well as different groups within village communities. Important developments as part of this process have included gender mainstreaming and the increased capacity of communities to support he implementation of drinking water safety plans. This in turn has contributed to a measured reduction in household water use."

Photo
Data
Year 2012
Reporting date 14-Mar
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