COOK ISLANDS, Mitiaro Island - January 2008
Renovation of eight community water tanks, purchase of 60 household waste bins and construction of paths and hand rails in exchange for the establishment of a 2,965-acre forest protected area for a duration of 10 years
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Mitiaro is one of the southern islands of the Cook Islands group with a population of 318 located on the western coast in four closely grouped villages. Most of the island is about four feet above sea level, and the seepage of salt water into the water table has rendered ground water brackish and unfit for human consumption. Seacology is funding the renovation of the communities’ eight 10,000-gallon water tanks, which currently leak and have minimal water-holding capabilities. Seacology is also providing 60 household waste bins to help curtail littering and support the island’s waste disposal and management program, as well as funding the construction of steps and hand rails to better access two water caves. In exchange, the Mitiaro communities will declare 2,965 acres of their island as a conservation area for a duration of 10 years, including all areas where two rare and endemic endangered species survive, the Ā’i sandalwood and Mitiaro fan palm.
UPDATE May 2008 - As of April 2008 the project was pending a start date due to lack of transportation options to ship materials to the site. Cement was transported but other materials are delayed until another vessel travels to the area. As soon as a shipment can be arranged Seacology field representative Allan Tuara will travel to Mitiaro to help the project leader conduct the initial stages of construction.
UPDATE June 2008 - As of late May 2008 project leaders were working on correcting the shipping delays for the remaining materials needed to complete the water tank restoration. While they were waiting for needed materials they replaced all the old strapping on the eight water tanks.
UPDATE January 2009 - As of November 2008 six of eight of the water tanks were fully renovated. Field representative Allan Tuara visited the site in November 2008 and attended a closing ceremony. Due to water shortages, renovation of the last two tanks has been postponed until after the six refurbished tanks are full again for continued water supply. The project was featured on Cook Islands Television News in October 2008.
UPDATE June 2009 - As of April 2009 this project is now completed. All eight refurbished tanks are full and in excellent water holding capacity. Recent rain on the island has provided the much needed water for the completion of the last two tanks. The community on Mitaro now has enough holding tanks to store clean potable water throughout the year. Also, thanks to Seacology, every household on Mitiaro is a recipient of a 240 liter wastebin.
