A new water supply system was handed over today to the Matangiake community in Tongatapu by the Government of Japan.

The Japanese Ambassador HE Dr Kazuchika Hamuro commissioned the system constructed with $204,106 pa'anga under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.

Dr Hamuro said in 2012, the Government of Japan began to assist the upgrading of the water supply system to replace an old one that had high energy consumption.

He said the old water system installed in 1979 had severely deteriorated to the extent that it affected the well being of the people in the community.

"The new system will contribute greatly towards reducing energy consumption through its solar pumps and to supply water for 24-hours at a stable rate to all 430 people of the village."

Lady Si’atu Vaea in thanking the Government of Japan said their commitment towards assisting Tonga through projects such as this would definitely raise the standard of living of ordinary families who live in communities outside of Nuku’alofa.