Pacific Water & Wastewater Association PWWA Newsletter July - September 2017 edition 10 th Annual Conference the Samoa Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Water and Sanitation Sector Division worked hard to ensure the Samoan government hosted a successful conference for PWWA. This year s theme Water Supply in a changing environment comes at a significant time to the Pacific with the threat of climate change, increasing natural disasters and its impact on water quality and sustainability. Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa at the Opening of the 10 th annual Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference. The 10 th Annual Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference was the major event during this quarter. Held in Apia, Samoa at the Sheraton Aggies Hotel from 7-11 August, the conference proved to be the biggest yet annual conference in terms of turnout. Samoa Water Authority with assistance of A total of 314 participants from 31 countries and territories participated at the event which was a 38% increase from the previous year. It was the first time we had participants from Japan and Singapore. Twenty-one out of the twenty-nine utilities participated, mostly represented by their Chief Executive Officers and senior staff members; 29 companies mainly from Australia and New Zealand exhibited at the Expo but others include companies from America, Singapore, Japan, New Caledonia and Samoa.
Young Water Professional Erie Sami from the Department of Water Resources Vanuatu Young Water Professionals Programme We the founding members of the Pacific Young Water Professionals, are dedicated to bringing new energy into the water and wastewater industry and sector. The Pacific YWPs are a well-connected group, driven by shared values, working to shifting the dialogue towards: Realizing sustainability in the water and waste Water sector. Building regional knowledge sharing and collaboration through peer-to peer connection and networking; This was the declaration from the inaugural cohort of Young Water Professionals from 22 countries that participated at the Young Water Professionals programme held in conjunction with the Annual Conference. The programme was an initiative developed to have the Young Water Professionals in the Pacific region engage early on issues and challenges facing the Pacific Water sector. It was also an opportunity for them to share learning, knowledge and best practices and to be mentored by current leaders and managers of utilities in the sector. This also created a learning culture to build confidence for the young professionals. Recognizing cultural and traditional knowledge as a source of expertise; Making capacity building, leadership development, and improved communication core management functions; Supporting Young Water Professionals and aspiring water professionals to make a difference; Advocating for the principles of Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) throughout the sector; Fostering an environment that promotes innovation; and Transforming management trends to reflect these values. Young Water Professional Workshop with representatives from American Samoa, Fiji, Cook Islands, and Vanuatu.
3 rd Ministerial Water Forum Thirteen Ministers and representatives attended the 3 rd Ministerial Water Forum. Ministers focused on the Sustainable Development Goals in particular the SDG 6 for safe and secure drinking water and sanitation. A presentation was made by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat on the current status of water and sanitation in relation to the SAMOA Pathways and Pathway of Pacific regionalism. Ministers signed a declaration reaffirming their commitment to lead and champion the Pacific Water Agenda and their responsibility to lead work to improve access to safe water and sanitation in alignment with national, regional and international levels. Signing of the Host Agreement PWWA Chairman Opetaia Ravai and Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa. Signing of the Host Agreement with the Government of Samoa A major highlight at the 10 th Pacific Conference was the signing of the Host Agreement between the Government of Samoa and PWWA which promulgates international status to PWWA under Samoan laws, and establishes Samoa as the headquarters of PWWA. PWWA, after 20 years since establishment and attempts to establish itself as a regional body finally achieved this in 2017. Chairman of the 2017 3 rd Ministerial Forum Hon. Papaliitele Niko Lee Hang Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure of Samoa.
Exhibition 2017 Running parallel to the conference was the exhibition show which displayed an array of companies in the water-related fields with projects currently operating in the Pacific, technological advancements and innovation, different water sectors and water utilities across the Pacific region. Hynds (NZ) once again won best expo display with new members Infinite Water (Australia) coming second. The exhibition had over 300 visitors, outside of the participant numbers mainly from high schools in Samoa and trade schools such as the Don Bosco Technical College, and the Australia Pacific Technical College; this proved a great opportunity for companies to display their latest products and services, and network with Water utilities. 2017 Expo Winners Hynds Representative Daniel North (New Zealand) Sales Manager Mitchell Chand exhibiting for Central Pacific Chemicals Ltd (Fiji).
Pacific Water and Wastewater Association 2017 Award Winners Award Best Coverage with Services Group 1 Best Coverage with Services Group 2 Best Coverage with Services Group 3 Best cost recovery for water and wastewater services Group 1 Best cost recovery for water and wastewater services Group 2 Best Cost recovery (Established customer database and payment collection system Group 3) Best Customer Service - Group 1 Best Customer service - Group 2 Best Established water intake systems and piped water distribution (Customer Service) Group 3 Best technical performance - Group 1 Best technical performance - Group 2 Water delivery by trucks is organized and fully functioning with minimum losses - Group 3 Best Environmentally friendly utility: Wastewater collection and treatment Group 1 Best Environmentally friendly utility: Wastewater collection and treatment Group 2 Best Environmentally friendly utility. Wastewater regularly collected from latrines Group 3 Most Improved Utility Group 1 Most Improved Utility - Group 2 Most Improved Utility Group 3 Best Utility 2017 Group 1 Best Utility 2017 Group 2 Best Utility 2017 Group 3 Best Utility Overall for 2017 PWWA Best utility in gender Balance 2017 Percentage of women Employees - engineers Female staff salary as a % of male PWWA 2017 Water professional of the year PWWA Young Water Professional Award 2017 Best Expo Display 2017 Runner up for Best Expo Display 2017 Winner Polynesienne Des Eaux (French Polynesia) Eda Ranu (Papua New Guinea) Niue Department of Utilities Caledonienne Des Eaux (New Caledonia) Water PNG (Papua New Guinea) Nauru, Central Pacific Utility American Samoa Power Authority (American Samoa) Chuuk Public Utilities Corporation (FSM) Majuro Water and Sewer Company (Marshall Islands) Caledonienne Des Eaux (New Caledonia) Water PNG (Papua New Guinea) Nauru Central Pacific Utility (Nauru) Polynesienne Des Eaux (New Caledonia) Samoa Water Authority (Samoa) Infrastructure Cook Islands (Cook Islands) American Samoa Power Authority (American Samoa) Samoa Water Authority (Samoa) Majuro Water and Sewer Company (Marshall Islands) Polynesienne Des Eaux (French Polynesia) Samoa Water Authority (Samoa) Majuro Water and Sewer Company (Marshall Islands) Samoa Water Authority Central Yap State Public Service (FSM) Caledonienne Des Eaux (New Caledonia) Water PNG (Papua New Guinea) Fuiava Sulumalo Amataga Penaia (Former CEO of MNRE, Samoa) Maryse Wamalo (Caledonienne Des Eaux New Caledonia) Hynds (New Zealand) Infinite Water (Australia)
PWWA 2017 Water Professional of the Year Fuiava Suluimalo Amataga Penaia Former CEO of MNRE Samoa PWWA 2017 Young Water Professional of the Year Maryse Wamalo of Caledonienne Des Eaux (New Caledonia) Samoa Water Authority received the most prestigious award of the night for best Utility overall for 2017. These utilities were categorised according to country s Gross National Income into 3 groups- Large, Medium and transition economies. Awards were based on performance against benchmarking data collected in 2016. The other top awards were the PWWA 2017 Water Professional of the Year award won by Fuiava Suluimalo Amataga Penaia (Samoa). In recognition of his work, Suluimalo's passion in water has been manifested by his invaluable contributions to major improvements and positive changes in the water sector of Samoa both in the water resources management and water supply areas as well as his extensive years of service within the Samoan water sector, and international arena. Suluimalo has worked professionally in the environment and water sectors of Samoa for more than twenty years instigating new initiatives like the establishment of the Water Resources Division in 2006, contribution to the rehabilitation and restoration of water resources and water catchment areas through water catchment planting to name a few. The other top award was the PWWA 2017 Young Water Professional award won by Maryse Wamalo (New Caledonia) who joined Caledonienne des Eaux in 2013 and manages the purchasing and logistic department. She is a Civil engineer (ENIVL Blois France) with a specialization at the European Institute of Purchasing Management. If you wish to obtain more information about Pacific Water and Wastewater Association, please feel free to visit our website www.pwwa.ws or info@pwwa.ws. PWWA s main office is currently located at FMFMII Government Building, Eleele Fou, Apia Samoa.