A new water laboratory for Tonga Water Board (TWB) was launched earlier today, 8 November 2024, at Mata-ki-Eua in Tongatapu.
The Principal Hydrologist for the new laboratory, Mr. Lopeti Tufui told Matangi Tonga that the lab will help the water board provide cleaner and safer water for the community.
“This new lab will help us detect and test the water that we’re dispersing to the people and make sure it’s safe and free of dangerous chemical elements –such as mercury, magnesium, lead, copper….”
Lopeti said that it’s important to ensure the safety of our water because the major water sources are underneath large agricultural plantations and timber factories.
“Sometimes the fertilizers and pesticides that farmers use for their crops, will seep into the water supplies... there are even homes near the water supplies and sometimes the sewage can leak into the pipes as well.”
With the new laboratory they can now make sure through accurate tests, that the water is safe and clean for people to use.
The three main tests that can be performed in this new lab include metal, bacterial and physical parameters.
Lopeti said that the plan to build this lab began in 2022, after the HTHH volcanic eruption, which left TWB struggling to conduct accurate tests on the safety of the water.
The construction of the lab began in March and was completed in September.
Lopeti said that there are plans on facilitating the outer islands with their own laboratories in the near future, starting with ‘Eua.
Attending the launch of the laboratory were members of the Tonga Water Board, partners and guest of honour, the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Samiu Kuita Vaipulu.
