Tonga Gets Its

Water Laid On

From S. A. Fanamanu fpONGA’S first water reticulation -*• system, using underground water resources, has been installed at the village of Houma, about eight miles from Nukualofa. The system was installed under the direction of a project engineer of the World Health Organisation, Mr. B. L. Adan, of the Philippines.

Water is pumped up by a wind mill to two 5,000 gallon elevated tanks, from which it is reticulated all over the village by public taps, and also in the village of Vaotu’u about half a mile away. An electric motor has been installed to be used instead of the windmill in calm weather.

The water supply system is de signed to enable houses in both villages to be connected to it without affecting the pressure in the main.

Representatives of member countries of the South Pacific Health Service inspected the system when they arrived in Nukualofa recently for their annual conference. The delegates also visited similar water supply schemes in other villages on Tongatapu.

These schemes are part of a UNICEF/WHO-assisted School

Sanitation and Community Water Supply Project, requested by the Government.

The project takes in 20 village Government primary schools and 27 associated villages. Besides piped water, each school has a septic tank system using locally-made lavatory seats. A drinking fountain and a 100-ft hose to facilitate cleaning are

also provided for each school.

The new latrines are a big improve ment on the old, unhygienic pit latrines that were in common use; and the new water supply systems have produced flourishing flower gardens around the thatched Tongan houses and along the roadsides, Windmills are becoming a common sight on the island.

Windmills like this one are now pointing their sails to the clouds on Tongatapu as they pump underground water supplies.