South Tarawa Water Supply Project (STWSP)
Clean, safe water is essential to life on South Tarawa, and the South Tarawa Water Supply Project (STWSP) is delivering real improvements to the island’s water infrastructure.
This project 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.
Right: A PUB technician working at the McKenzie desalination plant — the backbone of South Tarawa’s freshwater supply.
The McKenzie Desalination Plant was commissioned in April 2025 and is now operating as the primary source of fresh water for South Tarawa, producing high-quality desalinated water well within safety standards. Water quality has been consistently strong, with salinity levels at 554 µS/cm — comfortably below the 1,000 µS/cm target. Total water production is up 25% compared to the same period last year, reaching 263,000 cubic metres in the first four months of 2026.
+25%
Production Growth
554
µS/cm Salinity
2.3 ML
Daily Output (Apr)
Looking ahead: A new solar PV plant is being constructed to power the desalination operations, expected to be completed by mid-2026. This will reduce energy costs and make water production more sustainable. Bids for additional water supply network construction are also being evaluated, which will extend piped water access to more households across South Tarawa.
Three key specialist roles in water operations and management are being recruited to ensure PUB has the expertise to maintain and expand these vital services for the long term. Safe, reliable water supply is a priority — and this project is helping PUB deliver on that commitment.