South Tarawa Water Supply Project (STWSP)

The South Tarawa Water Supply Project (STWSP) is a major national initiative aimed at improving public health and strengthening climate change resilience for the people of South Tarawa by increasing access to safe, reliable, and climate-resilient water supplies. With a revised total budget of approximately USD 92.06 million, the project is jointly financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank (WB), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Government of Kiribati (GoK). The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED) serves as the executing agency, with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE) as the implementing agency, while the Public Utilities Board (PUB) is a key stakeholder and the future operator of the new water infrastructure.

A recent ministerial visit highlighted the strong partnerships supporting the project’s implementation. The Minister for Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy, Hon. Tekeua Tarati, together with his delegation, visited the Climate Change and Visitor Resource Centre at the Temakin saltwater desalination facility. The visit reinforced collaboration between the Government of Kiribati and Osmoflo, an international leader in reverse osmosis (RO) water technology, which plays a critical role in operating, monitoring, and maintaining desalination systems that provide safe water to South Tarawa.

During the visit, the Minister toured the desalination plant, which is currently in preservation mode, and received briefings on Osmoflo’s operational responsibilities and technical support. Osmoflo’s Officer in Charge, Mr. Stephen Palmer, also presented updates on ongoing capacity-building programs designed to equip national employees and PUB staff with the skills needed to independently manage and operate the facility in the future, strengthening local ownership and long-term sustainability.

Key technical matters were also discussed, including challenges related to the Temakin facility’s feed water supply. The STWSP Project Manager outlined actions currently being taken to address this issue, demonstrating the project’s proactive approach to risk management and operational readiness. Minister Tarati expressed appreciation for Osmoflo’s partnership and technical expertise, noting his intention to share these positive developments in Parliament, and reaffirmed the shared commitment to securing a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable water future for Kiribati.