By Eleanor Gee

“The water lens in the Hihifo district is safe,” Silia Leger told Matangi Tonga today.

The water lens reservoir supplying Hihifo district was tested for E Coli last week, after earlier testing had detected the presence of E Coli [2] in the water supplies at three out of six random households there.

No E Coli was found in last week's tests done on the various water lens reservoirs in Hihifo, said Silia, the National Project Coordinator for the Integrated Water and Coastal Management Project of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

According to the water testing results report, five water samples were taken from water supplies (see map below) at Ha’avakatolo and Hihifo 2 (open wells), from taps near pumps at Fo’ui 1 and Fo’ui 2, and one from the Hihifo combined reservoir, which distributes water to the rest of the Hihifo villages.

While the water reservoir results are welcomed, Silia explained they still need to look at how E Coli got into the water supply in three households.

“So, this narrows down the source of the problem.”

She said it is possible that leakage from septic tanks can seep into cracked water supply pipes. Another problem is waste from roaming animals such as pigs.

Hihifo District Council

The Hihifo District MP, Losaline Ma’asi and the Hihifo District Council members have suggested solutions, including turning animal waste into biogas.

“Not only will it make biogas, but it will ensure the animals are put in a fenced area, instead of [roaming] out in the open,” said Silia.

There is also talk with council about installing water meters at each household.

“That will help us monitor and identify leakage points. Because without that we can’t solve the leakage problem.”

However, if leakages are found to be too big an issue to handle, Silia hopes a donor agency will provide support “to fix the Hihifo District’s water issues once and for all”.

“That’s why I think this study and these types of research are very good. It assists with decision making and how to move forward.”

Sanitation concerns

Tonga’s first State of the Environment Report released earlier this month also confirms Silia’s concern with sanitation.

The report stated that: “Urban areas have no reticulation system for sanitation and sewage as the country relies on septic tanks. These tanks are poorly managed and result in traces of faecal coliform in the groundwater”.

Similar studies done in the past have revealed E Coli in the water but nothing was done, explained Silia.

One of the reasons is because sanitation is not easy to discuss openly in Tonga.

“I think we need to make it easier for people to talk about sanitation because no one likes to talk about it.”

During the survey, Silia said people found it uncomfortable to talk about their septic tanks and toilets.

“We know some didn’t share the correct information out of shyness, or not being comfortable, or embarrassed.”

“They need to be open about it so we can get the right information, if not how are we going to fix the problem, if they are not going to be honest about it?”

Government

Government departments not working together is another reason nothing was done about past studies that have confirmed E Coli in the water.

“The hope is for everyone to work together. But the already established system, is that everyone does their own thing,” said Silia.

She said every project that is being implemented has a steering committee and technical committee. And apart from meetings with steering committees, nothing more is usually done.

However, she hopes that will not be the issue with this particular case and has recently contacted the Ministry of Health (MOH) who have been busy with CoViD-19 preparation work.

“We want to work together with them because we know they don’t have many staff. And we have a team. We could help each other.”

The water testing results report has recommended future works for the Hihifo District, including checking and testing water samples from household taps for thermotolerant coliform (which includes E coli), and to raise awareness for the need to prioritize cleaning of homes, especially in areas near the water outlets, rainwater collection points and from groundwater sources.