VINETA

Water is ubiquitous in the North and South Pacific Islands and an important part of the local culture. The region is comprised of several sovereign states, most of which are distributed over many small islands and atolls providing limited natural resources. As a result of climate change, these islands, and their local inhabitants are highly affected by the negative consequences associated with rising seawater levels. Due to dramatic changes in the rainfall patterns droughts are becoming more common and last longer, in some cases up to several months, which severely impacts the water supply on many Pacific Islands.

The aim of VINETA was to analyse and improve drinking water treatment in selected states of Oceania. A needs assessment served to select three application cases of different sizes. The assessment considered open spaces, i.e. on existing water reservoirs, to allow decentralized power supply via solar energy. Thus, the drinking water treatment could be decoupled from the power grid when certain conditions are met. Consecutively, integrated solutions were developed which will be discussed and optimized with local stakeholders. When the conceptual designs were completed, one application case was selected, and the low-pressure membrane filtration was demonstrated on location. This technology was developed to maturity by Martin Systems GmbH and first applied in the water backpack “PAUL”. This is a portable water filtration unit for use in disaster areas that works without electricity. Subsequently, the AQUA CUBE was developed in a ZIM project sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. It is available since 2017 and is designed for continues treatment of surface water in rural areas. In this project, the technology was adapted to the special requirements of decentralized and isolated operation in Oceania. In addition to the demonstration, an information package for stakeholders and training materials for local operators are developed during the project. This facilitates the sustainable operation and the dissemination of the technology in the spirit of the sustainable development goals.

A total of three AquaCube systems were installed in the project at the following locations: 

• Ngaraard Elementary School on Palau
• Naimasimasi village in Fiji
• Site of the University of South Pacific, Fiji

After the end of the project, the systems were taken over by the Palau Ministry of Education and the national water supply company of Fiji and the University of South Pacific respectively and continued to be operated on a long-term basis.