The European Union (EU) in partnership with the Government of
Samoa through the Civil Society Support Programme II (CSSP II) will launch five standalone Ultra
Violet (UV) Filtration System Kiosks at five different communities located on the main islands of
Upolu in Samoa.

The UV Filtration System Kiosks will provide five communities’ access to clean and safe drinking
water, with approximately three thousand five hundred people whose water networks are without
treatment foreseen to benefit from the launch.

The European Union Head of Section for Economic Growth, Investments and Agriculture, Ms
Barbara RIKSEN said, “The European Union is very proud to partner once again with Samoa and in
particular with the Samoa Independent Water Schemes Association, to install the use of the five
Ultra Violet Filtration System Kiosks in five different communities. This is a chemical-free process
to remove contaminations and protect against impurities in the untreated water. They are proven to
be quick, reliable and cost effective method of disinfecting water for use”.

“The European Union values Water as life. It is a precondition for human, animal and plant life as
well as an indispensable resource for the economy. Water also plays a fundamental role in the
climate regulation cycle and protection of water resources, of fresh and salt water ecosystems and of
the water we drink and bathe in is therefore one of the cornerstones of environmental protection for
the European Union”, added Ms Riksen.

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The UV Filtration System will help eliminate bacteria’s as well as filter sediments from the water.
The five communities are encouraged to fetch drinking water from the kiosks for daily consumption
and for domestic purposes. In addition, communities are educated on the water storage practices
within the households in line with the Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) guidelines.

“This is a milestone development for our communities that are committed to effective management
of their water resource networks in order to enhance access to safe and clean water”, commented
Peseta Noumea Simi, the National Authorising Officer.

Sulutumu Taiatu Sasa Milo, President of SIWSA, stated that “The introduction of this UV Kiosk
project has greatly boosted the communities’ morale and discipline in conserving and managing
their water system, as they believe in ‘Clean Healthy Water is the cheapest way to Better Life’. I
wish to extend the SIWSA’s sincere thanks and gratitude to the EU for this remarkable life-saving
contribution”.

The EU-funded project on Water Management to Samoa Independent Water Schemes Association
shall also contribute to the population of Samoa with access to safe drinking water that complies
with Samoa’s 2016 National Drinking Water Standards; improve water quality through Water
Safety Plans and strengthen water communities in managing effective water resources. The UV
Filtration System Kiosks is one of the initiative under this project and is approximately worth of
EUR 65,000 equivalent to SAT 200,000.

The launch of the UV Filtration System Kiosks will commence from 29 September up until the 1
October 2021. The locations and communities to benefit from the launch include Nuusuatia
Independent Water Scheme, Sataoa Independent Water Scheme, Aufaga Independent Water
Scheme, Maasina and Lona Independent Water Scheme.