Kiribati : South Tarawa Water Supply Project

Sovereign Project | 49453-002

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Blaik, Stephen
    Pacific Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Kiribati
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Water and other urban infrastructure and services
Project Name South Tarawa Water Supply Project
Project Number 49453-002
Country / Economy Kiribati
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Grant
Source of Funding / Amount
Grant 0652-KIR: South Tarawa Water Supply Project (formerly South Tarawa Water Sector Improvement Program)
Asian Development Fund US$ 13.00 million
Grant 0653-KIR: South Tarawa Water Supply Project (formerly South Tarawa Water Sector Improvement Program)
Green Climate Fund US$ 28.63 million
Grant: South Tarawa Water Supply Project (formerly South Tarawa Water Sector Improvement Program)
World Bank US$ 12.96 million
Operational Priorities OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities
OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality
OP3: Tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability
OP4: Making cities more livable
OP5: Promoting rural development and food security
OP6: Strengthening governance and institutional capacity
OP7: Fostering regional cooperation and integration
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Governance and capacity development
Partnerships
Sector / Subsector

Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Urban water supply

Gender Equity and Mainstreaming Effective gender mainstreaming
Description
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy
Impact

TheProject is Aligned with:

Health and climate change resilience of South Tarawa's population improved

Results Chain

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Access of South Tarawa's population to safe, climate-resilient water supplies increased

Progress Toward Outcome Procurement of the project's 2 desalination plants is complete and the first plants at Betio is scheduled to be commissioned in Q3 2023. Commissioning of the second plant located at McKenzie is scheduled to commence in Q4 2023.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Climate resilient and low carbon water supply infrastructure

Capacity of MISE and PUB to effectively manage water supply infrastructure increased

Awareness of WASH and climate change issues is raised.

Project implementation is managed efficiently and effectively

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

Output 1: Climate resilient and low carbon water supply infrastructure. The design-build-operate (DBO) Package GDW-1: Two Bore Fields and Two Desalination Plants, South Tarawa, Kiribati in the amount of AUD$36,400,186 was executed by the Government in June 2022. Early progress has been made on submission of the contractor's management plans and 20% design including HAZOP (process design review) workshop. Completion of the design-build phases and commissioning of the desalination plants located at Betio and McKenzie, is expected to occur by end Q3, 2023 and by end Q1, 2024 respectively. The combined production capacity of the two desalination plants will be 6,000 cubic meters per day (m3/d).

Significant delays were experienced with development of the bidding documents for Package GDW 2: Water Supply Networks due to late incorporation of a management services contract (World Bank template) and redefinition of the scope of operational responsibilities to satisfy World Bank's requirements. A single set of bidding documents for the Package GDW-2 is currently being finalized for procurement of the two contracts, GDW-2/1 Water Supply Networks (construction) and GDW-2/2 Management Services (O&M). Bidding is expected to commence on 31 October 2022.

Procurement of Package GDW-3: Solar PV Array (2.5-megawatt peak (MWp)) and Associated Works was combined with the South Tarawa Renewable Energy Project's (STREP) procurement of a 5 MWp solar PV array and battery energy storage system (BESS) and operations and maintenance services. The bid evaluation was completed in July 2022 and ADB have advised its no-objection to award of the contract. The EA expects to award the contract by 14 September 2022.

Output 2: Capacity of MISE and PUB to effectively manage water supply infrastructure increased. The project coordinated initiatives for capacity development and institutional strengthening of PUB with the Kiribati Utilities Reform Project (KURP) being implemented separately under NZ MFAT funding. Progress on this output includes development of scope and detailed requirements for Package GDW-1 (operation service phase ~ 4.5 years commencing Q3, 2023) and GDW-2/2 Management Services (O&M). Further institutional strengthening will be implemented under WASH Awareness Program Part C.

Output 3: Awareness on WASH and climate change issues is raised. The WASH program has been designed to complement and reinforce other WASH initiatives that are or have been delivered in South Tarawa. The WASH program will be delivered in 3 parts. Part A: (Water is Life) will foster water conservation and vigilance in caring for the water supply assets and minimizing non-revenue water. Part B: (Community Partnership) will focus on hygiene awareness and hygiene behavioral change to improve community health. Part C: (Water Leadership) will create the enabling environment for the sustainable delivery of potable water supply services and management of natural resources and will train MISE and PUB staff to be water champions.

Key aspects of WASH program Part A relating to conservation of water and utility customer behavior have been incorporated within the scope of Package GDW-2/2 Management Services (O&M) contract. Government appointed the WASH Awareness Program Part B: (Community Partnership) consultants in May 2021 and sound progress has been made including completion of: (i) review of previous WASH programs, (ii) baseline indicators survey, (iii) Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategy development, and (iv) CSO Capacity Assessment. Recruitment of a consultant for WASH Part C is expected to commence by December 2022.

Output 4: Project implementation is managed efficiently and effectively. Recruitment of consulting services for the project management unit (PMU) is complete including: the project manager, deputy project manager, project accountant, safeguards manager and social development and gender specialist. Government appointed the project implementation assistance (PIA) consultants in March 2021.

Geographical Location South Tarawa
Safeguard Categories
Environment B
Involuntary Resettlement B
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects Environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA) for each subcomponent of the project have been prepared, publicly exhibited, and approved by Government with no-objection from ADB. Government issued the environmental licenses (EL) for Package GDW-1 and Package GDW-3 on 24 June 2022 and 29 October 2021 respectively. The EL for Package GDW-2 component is currently being processed by Government. Resettlement Plan (RP) for the Package GDW-3 was finalized, approved by ADB and WB and disclosed on ADB website during May 2022. The Package GDW-1 RP is currently in finalization process and is expected to be approved and disclosed by early September 2022.
Involuntary Resettlement The Resettlement Plan (RP) for the Solar PV component was finalized, approved by ADB and WB and disclosed on ADB website during May 2022. The RP for the Desalination component is currently being updated to reflect the Contractor's detailed designs for the Desalination Plants and is expected to be approved by ADB and disclosed by early September 2022. Payments of resettlement compensation under the RPs have commenced. Government has established an escrow-like account for deposit of resettlement compensation amounts in cases where land ownership is disputed, or land boundaries undefined and the amounts will be held in trust for the rightful affected persons. PMU/PIA has established an effective and proactive community liaison and land acquisition team. Land acquisitions for some key project components (village tank upgrading works) have been problematic for several sites and there is a risk of delay to implementation of the GDW-2/1 Water Supply Networks (construction). MISE PMU has submitted quarterly reports, semi-annual safeguard monitoring reports and gender action plan monitoring reports to ADB in compliance with the project's grant and project agreements.
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design
During Project Implementation The project management unit has established an effective and proactive community liaison and land acquisition team and has engaged international consultants to assist with the preparation and update of safeguard due diligence and monitoring documentation. The NWSSC has been appointed as the oversight body for the project and will also facilitate engagement of key government stakeholders in the project's WASH awareness program.
Responsible ADB Officer Blaik, Stephen
Responsible ADB Department Pacific Department
Responsible ADB Division PAUW
Executing Agencies
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development
Timetable
Concept Clearance 07 Oct 2016
Fact Finding 12 Nov 2018 to 16 Nov 2018
MRM 13 Dec 2018
Approval 30 Aug 2019
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 30 Aug 2022

Grant 0652-KIR

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
30 Aug 2019 06 Nov 2020 14 Dec 2020 31 Dec 2027 - -
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 20.24 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 13.00 25 Oct 2022 8.30 0.00 64%
Counterpart 7.24 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 25 Oct 2022 1.23 0.00 9%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory

Grant 0653-KIR

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
30 Aug 2019 06 Nov 2020 14 Dec 2020 31 Dec 2027 - -
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 28.63 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 0.00 25 Oct 2022 0.00 14.78 52%
Counterpart 0.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 28.63 25 Oct 2022 0.00 1.25 4%

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.


Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

Title Document Type Document Date
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Desalination Plants Resettlement Plan Resettlement Plans Sep 2022
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2022) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Aug 2022
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Solar Photo Voltaic Plant Resettlement Plan Resettlement Plans May 2022
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Upgrading Water Supply Networks of South Tarawa Final Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination May 2022
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Desalination Facilities (Betio and McKenzie) Updated Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination May 2022
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (July-December 2021) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Mar 2022
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2021) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Nov 2021
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Upgrading Water Supply Networks of South Tarawa Updated Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination Oct 2021
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Bonriki Solar PV Plant Updated Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination Oct 2021
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Updated Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination Mar 2020
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Updated Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination Mar 2020
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Updated Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination Feb 2020
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Updated Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination Oct 2019
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Resettlement Framework Resettlement Frameworks Oct 2019

Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

None currently available.


The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
South Tarawa Water Supply Project Individual - Consulting Closed
South Tarawa Water Supply Project Individual - Consulting Closed
South Tarawa Water Supply Project Individual - Consulting Closed
South Tarawa Water Supply Project Individual - Consulting Closed
KIR 0652/0653: South Tawara Water Supply Project (GDW-1) Invitation for Bids Closed
South Tarawa Water Supply Project Individual - Consulting Closed
South Tarawa Water Supply Project Individual - Consulting Closed
South Tarawa Water Supply Project Individual - Consulting Closed
WASH awareness program-Part B “WASH Community Partnership” Firm - Consulting Closed

Contracts Awarded

Contract Title Approval Number Contract Date Contractor | Address Executing Agency Total Contract Amount (US$) Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$)
Two Bore Fields and Two Desalination Plants in South Tarawa Kiribati Grant 0652 21 Jun 2022 CCB Envico/Osmoflo JV | Level 1 473-479 Victoria St West Melbourne VIC Australia Ministry of Finance and Economic Development 5,509,533.56
Two Bore Fields and Two Desalination Plants in South Tarawa Kiribati Grant 0653 21 Jun 2022 CCB Envico/Osmoflo JV | Level 1 473-479 Victoria St West Melbourne VIC Australia Ministry of Finance and Economic Development 10,167,593.76
WASH AWARENESS PROGRAM (PART B: WASH COMMUNITY PAR TNERSHIP) FIRM Grant 0652 25 May 2021 PLAN INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA | LEVEL 18 60 CITY ROAD - SOUTHBANK - MEL BOURNE. VIC 3006 AUSTRALIA Ministry of Finance and Economic Development 557,399.30
WASH AWARENESS PROGRAM (PART B: WASH COMMUNITY PAR TNERSHIP) FIRM Grant 0653 25 May 2021 PLAN INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA | LEVEL 18 60 CITY ROAD - SOUTHBANK - MEL BOURNE. VIC 3006. AUSTRALIA Ministry of Finance and Economic Development 342,502.70
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION ASSISTANCE CONSULTANTS Grant 0652 18 Mar 2021 FINNISH CONSULTING GROUP ASIA PTE LTD. IN ASS | #03-141 WEWORK BEACH CENTRE 15 BEACH RO AD 189677 SINGAPORE Ministry of Finance and Economic Development 1,932,574.46
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION ASSISTANCE CONSULTANTS Grant 0653 18 Mar 2021 FINNISH CONSULTING GROUP ASIA PTE LTD. IN ASS | #03-141 WEWORK BEACH CENTRE 15 BEACH RO AD 189677 SINGAPORE Ministry of Finance and Economic Development 1,187,500.54

Procurement Plan

Title Document Type Document Date
South Tarawa Water Supply Project: Procurement Plan Procurement Plans Nov 2022