Project completion report : water supply and sanitation project (loan 1459-FSM) in the Federated States of Micronesia

An analysis of the rain patterns in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) shows that all four states (Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap) receive ample but uneven annual rainfall. During the El Nino phenomenon in the early 1990s, all the islands suffered from severe droughts. Yap, in particular, has endured a series of relatively harsh droughts, which occur every 3–5 years and last for several months. This situation has been aggravated by the generally old and disparate water supply systems on the islands, which need repair, maintenance, and supervision. New water sources have to be developed to address the seasonal shortages. Health indicators show a high incidence of water-related diseases, such as diarrhea and typhoid, which can be attributed directly to poor water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.
The main objective of this project was to continue the Asian Development Bank’s support for the Government’s efforts to improve water supply and sanitation services in the four island states. This included (i) determination of requirements for leakage detection and prevention measures; (ii) determination of water supply and sewerage system operation and maintenance requirements; (iii) determination of Management Information Services, billing, and accounting requirements; (iv) identification of public education and public participation measures relevant to the socioeconomic background of each state; (v) establishment of the necessary systems to address these issues; (vi) provision of staff training; and (vii) preparation of operational manuals.

The project focused on policy reforms in the water supply sector, particularly in the areas of demand management and cost recovery.