Heavy rains in Honiara have forced temporary closure of the water supply from the Kombito source due to high turbidity.
The Solomon Water issued a notice stating that the turbidity, a measure of the cloudiness of water, has risen significantly, prompting the need to shut down the water supply until further notice.
Turbidity in water sources can result from various factors such as silt, mud, algae, or other particles suspended in the water. The closure is deemed necessary to prevent the distribution of unsafe water for drinking or general use. The disinfection process employed by the authorities cannot effectively eliminate bacteria in water with high turbidity, thus posing potential health risks to consumers. Additionally, high turbidity in water is known to cause pipe blockages and impair customer facilities.
Residents in several areas, including April Valley, April Ridge, Gilbert Camp, Lio Creek, Panatina Village, Panatina Ridge, Panatina Valley, Abira, SINU Panatina Campus, KGVI Heights, KGVI School, Ranadi Industrial, Burns Creek, Betikama, Lungga, Henderson, and GBR areas, are advised to expect either no water or low water pressure until further notice.
A boil water advisory has been issued for Honiara, urging residents who are currently receiving water to boil all water intended for drinking, food preparation, cooking, and consumption.
The Water Authority assures the public that they are actively monitoring the turbidity of the water source and pledges to provide updated information as the situation progresses.
The affected communities are encouraged to stay vigilant, follow the safety guidelines, and keep a close eye on communications from the Honiara Water Authority regarding the status of the water supply in their areas.
Source: Solomon Water
