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Muri under survey
Muri under survey
Tue
23 Feb
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An aerial view of the survey area in Muri.
10021904
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EU water and sanitation project now in phase one
The first phase of the Muri European Union Water and Sanitation Project is underway with a survey of 329 properties.
The five-year project, worth about $5 million ($2.55 million Euro), began in April last year when government, the EU and the Muri community formed a partnership.
There are three phases to the project – and the first of these is a survey of households and businesses in Muri which is nearing completion.
Already 193 households have been surveyed and businesses are now being asked to take part. The survey will be used to determine water and sanitation needs and infrastructure. The importance of the survey is to gather baseline data on the state and condition of waste water systems in Muri with a view towards improving and restoring systems that have failed or that are not to the appropriate standard.
Data and information collected from the site will enable ‘scoping’ and identify all significant risks to the lagoon and local community health.
The survey is collecting social data such as land area, housing density, and details of existing wastewater management. Technical data is also needed on sanitation systems and the topography of the area.
The survey will be taken to 252 households, 24 visitor
accommodations such as villas, self-contained units and lodges, seven backpacker/hotels/
motels, 18 retail outlets, 12 caf/restaurants and bars, 10 horticultural properties, and six
community centres – 329 different properties.
Groundwater, lagoon and stream monitoring are needed as indicators to establish the success of the project and whether the outcomes of improving the lagoon and surrounding areas have been achieved.
Phase two will involve reports on the survey findings, and modeling the impacts, most at risk areas and priority areas for action. Options for what the project will be able to build or repair using the available funds will then be weighed. Partnerships between the private and public sector and businesses and the community will be explored as part of this second phase.
The final phase is for the final project document to be completed. All the plans will be made for the beginning of a project to improve water and sanitation in Muri.
Communications advisor for the project, Sylvia George, says its success will depend largely on the community working together.
The project is managed by a committee of community leaders, the Muri Community Care Group and Education subcommittee, the ministry of infrastructure and planning, national environment service, marine resources, ministry of health, aid management, and the ministry of foreign affairs.
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