WHO /DAFT WSP Partnership Review Meeting WPRO, Manila, Philippines

1. WHO /DAFT WSP Partnership Review MeetingWPRO, Manila, Philippines 24-26 June 2014 3.2.3 Water Safety Plans in PICs: Cooks Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu Dr Rokho Kim, Environmental Specialist Who Office for the Pacific, Suva, Fiji

2. Phase 1: 2006 – 2008 Phase 2: 2009 - 2010 • Jointly implemented by WHO and SOPAC ; Budget: 500,000AUD, funded by AusAID/DFAT • Focus on funding soft improvements identified by WSPs developed in Pilot PICs • WSP audit and evaluation Jointly implemented by WHO, SOPAC (SPC) and NZMoH; Budget: 3 years, 500,000AUD Using an ‘Integrated Programmes’ approach comprising 3 programmes (WSP, Water Quality Monitoring (750,000AUD) and NZMoH PICs support programme(500,000NZD) WHO and SOPAC lead implementing agencies. Phase 3: 2012 - 2016 • Focus on capacity building for rural WSPs • Programme Management • Managed by Environmental Health specialist (WHO-SP)

3. Phase 1 & 2 Lessons Learned Securing top-level national support and buy-in was critical for programme inception and implementation A multisectoral and multistakeholder steering committee to manage and guide WSP programme inception was extremely valuable and ensured programme deliverables were achieved efficiently and effectively. To build sustainable WSP capacity, strong policy, legislative and institutional framework was required. Reliance on donor funding alone to provide the impetus for WSP implementation was found to be un-sustainable. WSP capacity building should cover multiple sectors (Health, Utility and Environment being the key sectors) and multiple stakeholders (including NGOs and CBOs) The WHO/SOPAC/NZMoH integrated programmes approach was found to be very effective. For a sustainable WSP programme in any PIC it is necessary to identify synergies with ongoing projects and initiatives implemented by other agencies and integrate common goals to develop a more effective more efficient approach.

4. Cook Islands Cook Islands has a population of approximately 20,000

5. Institutional Arrangements National policy, regulatory framework Cook Islands Legislation No single national water management legislation in place; scattered provisions that address the supply of water to the public, e.g. Rarotonga Waterworks Ordinance, 1960, superseded by the Ministry of Supportive Services Act 1973. Draft National water policy There is draft National water Policy (2007), but no policy on sewerage or sanitation No regulatory framework to control and manage water. The draft National Water Policy is due for review. Gaps Lack of a clear policy, legislative and/or regulatory framework is a challenge for WSP mainstreaming and sustainable capacity building. Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) - responsible for maintaining Rarotonga water supply MoH - responsible for rural, outer island water schemes, monitoring and surveillance of the biological quality of public water supply schemes. MMR - responsible for the management of coastal waters around the Cook Islands. They also have a well equipped laboratory. NES - responsible for environmental protection and community capacity building to address environmental issues including community-based water quality monitoring NGOs – The Cook Islands Association of NGOs (CIANGO) has a key role in water management through their relationship with communities, government agencies, donors, NGOs and community based organisations. The Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (MFEM) - responsible for the national budget and allocating funds for water supply development projects. The Office of the Ministry of Island Administration (OMIA) - responsible for overall coordination and monitoring of water management projects in outer islands, and for coordination of development plans including those affecting the water sector. The Vaka Councils -are the local government institutions responsible for development and administration of districts within Cook Islands.

6. Cook Islands WSP Mainstreaming Capacity building WSP capacity building in Cook Islands began in 2006 and involved reps from all major agencies. Follow-up training was facilitated by regular missions by WHO/SOPAC WSP specialists over 2006 to 20010. With the introduction of Phase 3 WSP capacity building continued with an emphasis on WSPs for rural water schemes (such as rainwater systems). Additional training for islands other than Rarotonga is planned for 2014 /15. Influencing national policy During a recent mission, the National Steering Committee has expressed the need for reviewing the draft National Water Policy and other government plans and strategies (Health, Environment etc) to integrate WSP approach in current and future water supply development in the country. Drinking Water Quality Monitoring capacity building Unfortunately, the Water Quality Monitoring capacity built within the Department of ICI over 2006 to 2010 has been stalled recently due to human resource constraints (i.e. lack of a qualified laboratory technician). Equipment provided as part of that capacity building (by SOPAC) is no longer being utilised in any way. National Laboratory Capacity A recent study by Cowthron Institute (NZ) found that there were adequate opportunities for strengthening national water quality monitoring capacity and framework for Cook Islands. Strengthening WSP capacity at rural, household level In 2007, following a request from the National Environment Service, a capacity building training was conducted by WHO, Live & Learn (Fiji) and University of the South Pacific (USP) which focused on empowering communities to undertake water quality monitoring using simple indicators tests including the Hydrogen-Sulphide (H2S) Test Kit. This initiative was revived recently by the running of the week long Household level WSPs and rainwater harvesting workshop in November 2013 by WHO consultants. The workshop re-introduced the concept of community based monitoring using the H2S test, however, sourcing the kits continues to be a major constraint.

7. Cook Islands Workplan & Budget

8. Gaps & Challenges Cook Islands Way forward • Ongoing in-situ WHO support needs to be offered to maintain impetus, • Integration with ongoing water and sanitation projects (e.g. SPC/SOPAC IWRM project, HYCOS programme, Te Mato Vai project etc) may help enable WSP mainstreaming in central government policy, plans and/or strategies. MFEM to follow this up. • Incentives need to be identified to encourage central government to commit to WSP mainstreaming (particularly in the area of Human Resource allocation to drive WSP and WQM processes), • Community-based water quality monitoring initiative will be supported by WHO (sourcing H2S kits from USP in) initially with the view to create H2S kit production capacity within Cook Islands eventually, • Technical Assistance to help Cook Islands government review the draft national Water Policy and other related policies, plans, and strategies to enable WSP mainstreaming, • Consideration of a central laboratory (MMR, NES, ICI) to support drinking water quality monitoring – with MoH lab providing surveillance function • Revive the National WSP Steering Committee to drive the WSP mainstreaming activities and deliverables going forward, and • WSP Training for outer island communities (Aitutaki). Enabling policy, legislative and/or regulatory framework required to create impetus for WSP mainstreaming No national standards for drinking water quality. Regulatory drivers are needed to strengthen institutional capacity for WSP mainstreaming as well as Drinking Water Quality Monitoring. Human resources (or lack thereof) and competing priorities is a major drawback for WSP mainstreaming.

9. Cook Islands Success stories The National Steering Committee formed for the inception and implementation of the WSP programme in 2006 has been recognised as an exceptional arrangement in the absence of any formal institutional arrangement to drive water and sanitation related projects. In particular, the EU funded IWRM project (SPC/SOPAC) has used this arrangement to drive its activities in Cook Island. The structure, stalled somewhat in the period after 2010, however, it was recently rejuvenated during a mission by WPRO WASH Officer and WHO consultant. Sustaining this Steering Committee will enable WSP mainstreaming provided the impetus created through this programme is sustained. A weeklong Household WSP and Rainwater Harvesting capacity building workshop was a great success and this is demonstrated by wide media coverage of the event. The training revived a community-based water quality monitoring initiative that began in 2006 but stalled due to lack of access to the H2S kits. Through the workshop in November 2013 community interest in monitoring of their own household water quality has been revived and WHO will support this initiative by shipping H2S kits from Fiji initially, with the view to create the capacity to develop these kits in Rarotonga established eventually. Since 2006, there has been significant debate among government agencies (mainly MMR, NES and ICI) about the value of creating a central laboratory for drinking water quality monitoring (among other environmental monitoring). A study funded by the WSP programme and conducted by a specialist from the Cawthron Institute (NZ) found that a central laboratory was viable and should be considered by the various agencies. If the recommendations from this study are adopted and implemented, the capacity for drinking water quality monitoring will be significantly improved.

10. Samoa Samoa has a population of approximately 200,000

11. Institutional Arrangements National policy, regulatory framework Samoa The Strategy for the development of Samoa (2012-2016) identifies ‘Sustainable Access to Safe Drinking Water and Basic Sanitation’ as a key priority outcome. Legislation, policy, plans & strategies Health Act 2006, National Drinking Water Standards 2008, Water Resources Management Act 2008 (and policy 2010), Water Licensing Regulations 2011, Water for Life Sector Plan 2012-2016, and the Sector Framework for Action 2012-2016. The Water Resources Management Act 2008 has the following provisions: the Minister for Health may prescribe public health standards for any aspect of water quality and is responsible for monitoring compliance with these standards; and that one element of the water sector management plan is to address a water quality monitoring program. The National Water Service policy was endorsed by parliament in 2010. The Water for Life Sector Plan & Sector Framework for Action 2012-2016 further guides development in the water sector – urban and rural. Samoa also has National Drinking Water Quality Standards enforced from 2008 . Samoa Water Authority (SWA) - operates government water supplies MoH - independent monitoring and WSP support Independent Water Schemes Association (IWSA) - operate private water supply schemes NGOs - provide funding and support including water activities European Union (EU) - provides funding to Samoan government National Water Sector Steering Committee – committee that over-sees water sector development in Samoa. Comprises CEOs of: Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Women, Community & Social Development (MWCSD), Ministry of Works, Infrastructure & Transport (MWTI), Ministry of Agriculture (MAF), Electric Power Corporation (EPC), Land Transport Authority (LTA), Economic Planning & Policy Division (MoF), Aid Management & Coordination Division (MoF), Implementing Agencies Coordinators (SWA, MoH, MWTI, MNRE/WRD, MNRE/PUMA),Chamber of Commerce, SUNGO, Independent Water Schemes Association (IWSA), Invited Donors(European Union; ADB and others), and TA team leaders of water related projects Water Sector Coordination Unit (WSCU) - is the Secretariat for the WSSC. Samoa has a robust and effective institutional framework for development in the water sector.

12. Samoa WSP Mainstreaming Capacity building Key Government and NGO staff trained in WSP development and implementation supported and coordinated by WSCU since 2006. Further training provided since 2012. A TA is also planned to strengthen the capacity of SWA, MoH and IWSA in DWSP development, implementation and evaluation. Influencing national policy The Ministry of Health has funded a TA for the review of the 2008 National Drinking Water Quality Standards and ongoing support will be provided by WHO to support further policy reviews and/or development through the relationship established between WHO, Samoa MoH, IWSA and the WSCU. Drinking Water Quality Monitoring capacity building A review of the EH curriculum provided by the University of Samoa will look at strengthening the capacity of MoH Environmental Health Officers to conduct drinking water quality surveillance.

13. Samoa Workplan & Budget

14. Samoa Gaps & Challenges Success stories • The IWSA has facilitated the capacity building of at least 8 villages resulting in 4 DWSPs currently under development. IWSA have applied to WHO for funding of selected improvements identified for each of the 4 villages. • A TA has been funded by WHO and coordinated by the WSCU, MoH and SWA, to review the National Drinking Water Quality Standards 2008 and accompanying Guidelines . • A TA to strengthen the capacity to train rural communities by SWA DWSP, IWSA and MoH as has been approved by WHO and funding will be made available soon.. Funding of improvements identified through DWSPs is inadequate to fund major infrastructure improvements required at some of the rural water supply schemes, Human resources (lack thereof or high turnover) is an ongoing issue, There is need to integrate DWSP approach in routine SWA operation, For sustainable community DWSP capacity, a process for funding improvements identified via DWSPs will need to be established. Way forward • Ongoing (WHO) support to IWSA to facilitate community DWSP capacity building, • Ongoing support to the WSCU to further integrate DWSP approach in water sector developments, • Support TA for strengthening the DWSP capacity of SWA, IWSA and MoH, • Support TA for review of the National Drinking Water Quality Standards.

15. Vanuatu Vanuatu has a population of approximately 240,000

16. Vanuatu Snapshot Objective 1: to develop sustainable institutional capacity within Vanuatu to develop, implement and evaluate DWSPs Objective 2: to develop and implement DWSPs for pilot rural communities Objective 3: support review/development of polices to strengthen DWSP implementation In 2012 AusAID agreed to fund a Water Safety Plan mainstreaming programme in four selected Pacific Islands, including Vanuatu. Funding of approximately $115 USD has been made available over this four year project. Funding is to be used for training staff in Vanuatu and the development of DWSPs for selected villages. Funds (up to $5000/village) are also available for small improvements as identified by the DWSP. DWSP training was introduced to Vanuatu in 2006/07 by WHO, SOPAC/SPC and NZ drinking water assessors. Two DWSPs were developed and another 4 were work-shopped. WHO and SOPAC/SPC audited the implementation of the Luganville DWSP in early 2013 and found many positive impacts and effects as a result. The WSP improvement schedule was updated with the assistance of WHO and SOAPC/SPC Seven pilot villages have been selected in Vanuatu for DWSP capacity building - Port Orly, Fanafo, Epau, Imalo, Imalaka, Tongoa, Nalivuhai Vanua

17. Vanuatu Institutional Arrangements National policy, regulatory framework The vision for Vanuatu in the Priorities and Action Agenda 2006-2015 is “An Educated, Healthy & Wealthy Vanuatu”. The main reference made in the PAA that could be inferred to refer to the water sector is to state as an overarching strategic priority “the provision of better basic services; especially in rural areas”. Legislation,Policy & Standards Water Resource Management Act No. 9 2002; Public Health Act No. 22 of 1994; Public Works Act. There is no succinct policy governing drinking water safety/quality although several national plans and strategies may provide some guidance on drinking water safety particularly in rural areas. A draft National Drinking Water Quality Standards has been developed, but government is currently considering impacts before it can be enforced. Financing Traditionally rural water supply systems installed by DGMWR are largely funded by bilateral aid from a variety of donors. Funding may also come from nongovernment organisations such as Rotary, Water Aid or OXFAM. A portion of each water supply system budget is funded-in-kind (usually staff wages) by the delivery agency e.g. Rural Water Supply or Drilling Section. Communities also contribute in kind with labour and other local skills and knowledge. Gaps Lack of a clear policy, legislative and/or regulatory framework is a challenge for WSP mainstreaming and sustainable capacity building. Ministry of Health - responsible for managing public health issues, including drinking water quality monitoring, particularly for rural water schemes The Department of Economic and Sector Planning (within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management) - provides direction in national development and planning in Vanuatu Department of Geology Mines and Water Resources (DGMWR) – funds (via donors) and constructs some of the rural water supply schemes and provides O&M capacity building support Public Works Department – manages urban and some rural utilities. Supports construction and O&M capacity building for rural schemes. NGOs – support the government by funding and constructing some of the rural schemes. Also, some capacity building and education/awareness support provided.

18. Vanuatu WSP Mainstreaming DWSP institutional capacity building is spread across the 3 main government agencies – Ministry of Health, Department of Geology Mines and Water Resources and Public Works Development, with key staff from each agency actively involved in DWSP training workshops, overall coordination of the programme in Vanuatu and development of education/awareness materials that promote DWSP approach and/or templates. The strong professional relationships among staff of each agency is an advantage. Community DWSP capacity building is facilitated by the staff of each of the three agencies and supported by WHO consultants. 7 villages (representing 4 provinces in the country) have been identified to undergo initial training in DWSP development and implementation with the aim that each village will have an operational DWSP by 2016. This capacity will eventually be replicated to other rural community-operated water supply schemes in Vanuatu. NGOs provide a substantial level of funding and capacity building support for rural water supply development. Representatives of each major NGO in Vanuatu have been actively involved in the training workshops and currently have the capacity to train communities on DWSP development and implementation. Live & Learn (a local NGO) has also assisted the government in translating DWSP materials in the local Bislama language. A partnership arrangement has been established between WHO and UNICEF on the integration of DWSP approach to the Human Security project implemented by UNICEF in 12 ni-Vanuatu communities. This partnership provides a strong model for integrating DWSP concepts in other water sector programmes/projects to further widen the reach of the DWSP approach in the provinces across Vanuatu.

19. Vanuatu Workplan & Budget

20. Vanuatu Gaps & Challenges Lack of human resources within the key government agencies is an issue that could influence sustainability of the DWSP capacity and activities in Vanuatu beyond the life of the programme. Funding of improvements identified through a DWSP is an issue. The limited funding available through the DWSP programme is inadequate in implementing some of the major improvements identified and communities will have to tap into other sources (mainly donors and NGOs) as government currently does not have resources to fund these either. Other donor funded projects could become a priority in future resulting in further reduced human resource availability for the DWSP activities, unless there is a mechanism in place through central government that formalises the DWSP process and ensures that the agencies responsible continue to provide WSP support to communities as needed. Way forward • Community capacity building for development and implementation of DWSPs – at least 7 DWSPs to be developed and implemented by 2016, • MoH/DGMWR capacity building in DWSP evaluation • Assist in policy review as requested by Government of Vanuatu • Identify opportunities for integrating DWSP approach with other donor funded projects in the water sector.

21. Vanuatu Success stories • Luganville WSP audit was undertaken in 2013 in collaboration with SOPAC/SPC. The audit showed that the WSP had been implemented and there were many positives such as the improvement schedule being used to prioritise and attract funding • The WSP training of trainers workshop in May 2013 was attended by 15 participants from government and non government organisations. This was well received and increased the in-country WSP capacity in Vanuatu markedly. • A further workshop was run in August 2013 to pilot test the training material at village level. This workshop was attended by 25 participants and was largely run by the participants as they increased in confidence in WSPs. Along with water safety planning the workshop also covered the H2S test • The selection of the 7 pilot villages for WSP development to be funded by the WSP mainstreaming project was recently agreed and planning for the workshops has commenced.

22. Tonga Tonga has a population of approximately 105,000 Tonga Tonga has a population of approximately 180,000

23. Tonga Institutional Arrangements National policy, regulatory framework • National water policy since 2009 (needs review) A national WSP steering committee was established and could provide leadership if supported • Legislation Workshop participants reported a critical lack of supporting legislation that reduces the availability of much needed funding to support improvements MoH - responsible for rural, outer island water schemes and WSPs Tongan Water Board - urban supplies Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources - environment WSP Mainstreaming WSP Capacity Staff from key government agencies trained in WSP development and implementation through workshops since 2006. This capacity building was further strengthened in 2012 with a follow-up workshop. Influencing policy and institutional arrangements Streamlining government processes for WSP development, implementation and evaluation.

24. Tonga Workplan & Budget

25. Tonga Gaps & Challenges Success stories • Strong interest from the Minister of Health and the MoH. • The first in country WSP workshop was attended by approximately 70 people over the week in August 2013. Approximately 30 attended the SWS WSP development component of the workshop. Approximately 18 rural community DWSPs are currently under development. No specific policy or legislation that would encourage the allocation of limited government resources to WSP development and implementation. No local WSP experts. No formally agreed implementation plan for WSP programme. General lack of understanding across the communities about the public health risks of unsafe drinking water. Way forward • More face-to-face contact with all key stakeholders by WSP experts. More active advocacy for WSP from WHO in Tonga. Require supporting policy to empower and financially support the MoH officers to implement WSP related roles (WSP related roles officially recognised, improved DWS and WSP specified as best practice etc). MoH will require technical advice on WSP programme design and implementation.