PACIFIC
WASTEWATER
FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION
Majuro, 15 October 2001
CONTENTS
I. VISION ..............................................................................................................................................................................................1
II.
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................................................... 1
III.
OVERVIEW OF THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES............................................................................................................... 3
IV.
STRATEGIC ACTIONS .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
V.
CONCLUDING STATEMENTS.......................................................................................................................................... 13
I.
VISION
Protect the health of the people and safeguard our fragile environment through improved,
effective and efficient management of wastewater.
II.
INTRODUCTION
The Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-
based Activities (GPA) identifies the priority for action on sewage. In the Pacific region, a
consultation process was facilitated by SOPAC, SPREP, PWA and the UNEP/GPA
Coordination Office on wastewater management. A Regional Wastewater Management
Meeting was held 10-15 October 2001 in Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands and was the
latest in the consultation process, which included preliminary sessions in February and March
2001 in Auckland and Apia. The Majuro meeting was sponsored by the Governments of
Belgium, New Zealand and Taiwan/ROC.
The meeting brought together representatives from 15 Pacific Island countries (American
Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, New
Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and
Vanuatu), technical experts from in and outside the region, regional and international
organisations (SOPAC, SPREP, SPC, PWA, WHO, UNESCO, UNEP/GPA), potential donors
and NGO's, to complete the Pacific Wastewater Policy Statement and the Pacific Wastewater
Framework for Action. Both documents will be submitted to governing bodies of regional
organisations for their endorsement by the respective governing council national
representatives.
The Pacific Wastewater Policy Statement sets out a framework of guiding principles and
policies to guide future development and co-operation by the Pacific Island Countries (PICs).
The Pacific Wastewater Framework for Action comprises a list of proposed actions to be
undertaken at national and regional levels to achieve the goals that are laid out in the Pacific
Wastewater Policy Statement and which refers to the GPA Strategic Action Plan and
Guidance Document on Wastewater (UNEP/GPA, WHO, UNCHS-Habitat & WSSCC).
The Pacific Ocean covers some 18 million km2 or about 36% of the earth's surface.
Scattered throughout the Pacific are over 30,000 small islands and a number of larger islands
(each over 2000 km2 in area) that emerge from the sea floor of which about 1,000 islands are
inhabited.
The natural environment throughout the Pacific Island Countries is extremely fragile and is
highly vulnerable to both natural and human impacts. Natural hazards like cyclones, droug hts,
earthquakes and tsunamis may strike at any time and at most places within the Pacific
Region. Human impacts include rapid urbanisation and waste and wastewater generation.
1
Definition of Wastewater
It is recognised that different countries and stakeholders have different interpretations of the
terms wastewater and sanitation.
For the purpose of the Pacific Wastewater Framework for Action the terms sanitation, public
health and environment refer to only those aspects of sanitation, public health and
environment, which are directly linked to wastewater.
The term wastewater is defined as:
Any combination of discharge (liquor/effluent, sludge/biosolids) into the environment, with or
without treatment, is defined as: human excrement (including zero waste discharge systems),
effluent, flushing water, industrial water and stormwater (run-off caused by rain).
2
III. OVERVIEW OF THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES
(as stated in the Pacific Wastewater Policy Statement)
GUIDING PRINCIPLE 1:
NATIONAL WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND REGULATIONS WILL BE
APPROPRIATE AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE AND CULTURES OF THE PACIFIC
ISLANDS.
National PIC governments are required to place high priority on wastewater and sanitation issues in
order to direct sufficient attention and resources to these areas in national development plans.
Regional and national policies should define responsibilities leading to better co-operation between
agencies and increased recognition of the linkages between good sanitation, improved public health,
economic development, and a cleaner environment. An updated and consistent regulatory framework,
combined with effective enforcement, will result in compliance with good practices, reduced pollution,
equitable allocation of resources, and increased investment.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE 2:
APPROPRIATE NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, INFRASTRUCTURE AND INFORMATION
WILL SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.
Clearly defined responsibilities for all stakeholder organisations in wastewater management can
prevent fragmented and uncoordinated plans and actions and improve linkages to other sectors. A
specific national agency responsible for wastewater management can be considered to enhance
performance. Strengthened institutional capacities and the collection and dissemination of data and
information will support appropriate technology selection, increase system performance, increase the
understanding of subsequent environmental and public health impacts, and demonstrate the need for
water conservation and natural disaster preparedness.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE 3:
BETTER ACCESS TO FUNDING WILL IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY, AND DEVELOP
THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
Adequate government financial support, alternative financing mechanisms and improved internal cost-
recovery are prerequisites to sustain maintenance and attract external investment.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE 4:
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT AND SANITATION,
WILL ENSURE EQUITABLE BENEFIT WITH RECOGNITION OF SOCIO-CULTURAL
SENSITIVITIES.
Wastewater management and sanitation issues should receive a higher public profile. Public
awareness by the community of socio-cultural, economic, environmental and public health impacts on
wastewater management will ensure ownership.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE 5:
VIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE LEVELS OF SKILLED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE
WITHIN THE WASTEWATER SECTOR AND COMMUNITIES WILL IMPROVE
WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.
Appropriately trained and experienced urban and rural wastewater professionals are needed to
develop projects and operate facilities, at both the technical, managerial and community participation
levels. Increased training enables communities and individuals to take responsibility for operating and
maintaining their systems.
3
IV. STRATEGIC ACTIONS
GUIDING PRINCIPLE 1:
NATIONAL WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND REGULATIONS WILL BE
APPROPRIATE AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE AND CULTURES OF THE PACIFIC
ISLANDS.
Policy 1.1: Governments will consider the wastewater and sanitation sector as a priority for
improvement and investment.
Policy 1.2: Governments will develop national wastewater and sanitation policies and
regulations that are consistent with international and national laws, regulations, technical
standards, and obligations.
Policy 1.3: Governments will develop and implement appropriate wastewater - and
associated - regulatory frameworks, compliance and enforcement requirements that benefit
the specific cultures, customs, economies and environment of the people of the Pacific.
Policy 1.4: Government regulations will require regular system performance reporting.
Policy 1.5: Governments and regional organisations will co-operate to develop and sustain
regional and national capacities in compliance monitoring, including technical and financial
resources and data acquisition.
Policy 1.6: Government and service provider decisions on wastewater management will be
transparent to improve accountability, donor and investor acceptance.
Policy 1.7: Governments and regional organisations, the private sector and NGOs will
actively co-operate to ensure that wastewater management policies and plans are integrated
into the national development policies and plans and other cross-sectoral initiatives.
OVERALL OUTCOME:
Appropriate and acceptable integrated national wastewater management policies and
regulations in place.
Proposed Actions
Responsibility
1. Prepare policy or issues paper on the need for prioritising wastewater and Government departments
sanitation sector for improvements, cross -sectoral actions and integration into Service providers
national development plans.
2. Education and awareness on policies and regulations across all sectors with Governments
special focus on decision makers.
3. Identify and review policies and regulations on regional and national level Regional organisations
and involve stakeholders and regional organisations
Governments
4. Review regulations from other countries and identify those suitable as Regional organisations
models for Pacific Island Countries.
4
Proposed Actions
Responsibility
5. Organise a review meeting involving all sectors, to agree on the need or
Governments
otherwise, for national regulations and to recommend appropriate actions.
6. Implement recommendations.
Governments
7. Establish appropriate guidelines and systems for reporting on service
Governments
delivery, and enforcement of regulations.
5
GUIDING PRINCIPLE 2:
APPROPRIATE NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, INFRASTRUCTURE AND INFORMATION
WILL SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.
Policy 2.1: Governments will review and specify roles of, and facilitate coordination
between existing agencies, and where appropriate, create specific responsible agencies for
wastewater management.
Policy 2.2: Governments will ensure that wastewater technologies and related
infrastructure are appropriate to meet national and local priorities and needs, within the
constraints of available finance and other resources, while recognising the need for protection
of human health and the environment.
Policy 2.3: Governments, service providers, institutions and regional organisations will
collaborate throughout the region to improve timely access to and sharing of available data
and research on appropriate wastewater technologies and the dissemination and
implementation of wise practice guidelines.
Policy 2.4: Wastewater reduction (water demand management and conservation, zero
discharge toilets) and reuse strategies will be developed and adopted by governments without
compromising public health.
Policy 2. 5: Governments and regional organisations will co-operate to develop and sustain
regional and national water quality monitoring programmes and the use of this information
(e.g. benchmarking) to improve wastewater management and environmental protection.
Policy 2.6: Governments, regional organisations and other stakeholders will cooperate to
develop integrated wastewater management plans to effectively address the impacts of
contingencies, emergencies and disasters.
OVERALL OUTCOME:
Sustainable wastewater management through the use of appropriate institutions,
infrastructure and information.
Proposed Actions
Responsibility
1. Identify:
Governments
-
the key agencies/stakeholders involved with the management of
wastewater, and environmental health
-
their roles and responsibilities
-
activities they undertake in wastewater and environmental health
-
lead agencies for specific national activities.
2. Establish mechanism for maintenance of data collection, on wastewater
Governments
management (standards, regulations, and monitoring) and environmental
Regional organisations
health impacts.
UN and donor agencies
NGO's
3. Develop national guidelines on wise practice approaches to assessing and
Governments
managing wastewater system requirements, that incorporate sound
Regional organisations
environmental health principles.
6
Proposed Actions
Responsibility
4. Review existing wastewater technologies and infrastructure and recommend Governments
strategies for improvement.
Service providers
NGOs
Regional organisations
5. Develop a national monitoring capacity, building on existing and new
Governments
resources, to provide initial baseline data, and long-term quality assurance.
NGOs
Regional organisations
6. Promote awareness of links between and means of integration of,
Governments
wastewater management plans to effectively address contingencies,
NGOs
emergencies, and disasters.
Regional organisations
7
GUIDING PRINCIPLE 3:
BETTER ACCESS TO FUNDING WILL IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY, AND DEVELOP
THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
Policy 3.1: Governments, regional organisations, donors, the private sector and NGOs will
co-operate to develop innovative approaches to existing funding structures and establish
mechanisms to improve cost-recovery.
Policy 3.2: Where appropriate, governments, regional organisations and NGOs will co-
operate to attract the private sector to invest in wastewater management through private-
public partnership and other mechanisms.
Policy 3.3: Governments, donors and regional organisations will co-operate to develop
appropriate service delivery and funding mechanisms to equitably address the wastewater
management needs of both the urban and rural community.
OVERALL OUTCOME:
Improved service delivery through increased access to funding and involvement of the
private sector.
Proposed Actions
Responsibility
1. Carry out a review of systems currently used throughout the region and
Governments
internationally, for funding wastewater services. Report findings in a form
Regional organisations
suitable for use by government decision makers.
2. Develop and implement awareness raising programmes across all levels, on Governments
the need for funding mechanisms.
3. Choose and adopt the most appropriate mechanisms (from above review).
Governments
4. Identify stakeholders, and especially possible private sector partners and
Governments
establish a national working party (or similar) for discussions/decision making
over privatisation of wastewater systems.
5. Review current wastewater systems and identify areas/aspects that could be Governments
improved through the involvement of the private sector.
6. Invite proposals from the private sector, review and implement.
Governments
7. Establish appropriate guidelines and reporting systems for monitoring
Governments
service delivery, including financial efficiency, service quality, and service
Regional organisations
distribution across different sectors of the community (e.g. urban vs. rural).
8
GUIDING PRINCIPLE 4:
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT AND SANITATION,
WILL ENSURE EQUITABLE BENEFIT WITH RECOGNITION OF SOCIO-CULTURAL
SENSITIVITIES.
Policy 4.1: Governments, regional organisations and NGO's will co-operate to promote and
develop education and awareness of wastewater and sanitation issues within national and
local government, while incorporating existing social and cultural values.
Policy 4.2: Governments, regional organisations and NGO's will co-operate to promote and
develop community education and awareness of public health and environmental issues as
related to wastewater while incorporating existing social and cultural values.
Policy 4.3: Governments, service providers and NGO's will in partnership with community
agencies determine their respective roles and responsibilities, and will develop and implement
culturally appropriate strategies and activities to ensure the implementation of wastewater
programmes.
Policy 4.4: Governments, service providers and NGO's will ensure rural and urban
communities will be given opportunities for active participation in the choice, development and
implementation of wastewater and sanitation projects and on-going operation and
maintenance of its facilities.
Policy 4.5: Planning of wastewater facilities will ensure acceptable access for all, with
special regard to women, the disadvantaged, the disabled and those in rural and remote
communities.
Policy 4.6: Service providers will take into account traditional knowledge and practices
complemented by new approaches to wastewater management.
OVERALL OUTCOME:
Equitable benefit to the entire community that incorporates social and cultural values
through active community participation.
Proposed Actions
Responsibility
1. Conduct survey and collect information / data on the social and cultural
Regional organisations
aspects / characteristics of the community population.
National government
Local government
Community
2. Develop and implement national and local public awareness and education
Regional organisations
campaigns.
National government
Local government
Community
3. Use local theatre groups and media in raising awareness programmes.
Regional organisations
National government
Local government
Community
9
Proposed Actions
Responsibility
4. Identify key stakeholders to determine their roles and responsibilities within
Governments
the community.
Service providers
NGOs
Community / Women
5. Create a task force that has representation of all stakeholders that will
All key stakeholders
facilitate the development and implementation of cultural appropriate strategies
and activities of wastewater managem ent programmes. The taskforce will have
a fair representation that will include women, disabled and disadvantaged.
6. Enhance or improve participation of community in the development and
Community
implementation of community-based strategies and activities through / by:
Governments
NGOs
-
holding regular meetings/seminars/workshops
Regional organisations
-
identifying and reviewing existing systems
-
developing where appropriate wise alternatives
-
establishing community capacity building programmes
-
identifying and securing assistance and funding for community involvement.
7. Include public information components in costing for all development
Governments
programmes.
8. Promote the use of community consultative committees in development
Community
programmes.
9. Perform gender assessment studies in wastewater management and where
Governments
appropriate stress the need for gender issues to be included into project
Regional organisations
planning.
10. Conduct research into the traditio nal practices and determine whether or not Governments
these can be adapted to suit the present situation and new development
Regional organisations
programmes.
NGOs
10
GUIDING PRINCIPLE 5:
VIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE LEVELS OF SKILLED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE
WITHIN THE WASTEWATER SECTOR AND COMMUNITIES WILL IMPROVE
WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
Policy 5.1: Governments, regional and international organisations will cooperate to develop
and implement effective human resource development programmes for wastewater
management and related personnel (including planners, management and enforcement
professional) with particular attention to up-skilling the local workforce.
Policy 5.2: Governments, local institutions, regional and international organisations will
work together in the development of regional and national training courses in support of
human resource development programmes.
Policy 5.3: Governments, regional organisations and NGOs will promote and facilitate the
development and training of communities and individuals to strengthen and assist their
participation in wastewater management.
Policy 5.4: Governments, regional organisations, donors, the private sector and NGOs will
work together to secure funding in support of human resource development policies and
training programmes.
OVERALL OUTCOME:
Wastewater management has improved, as a result of a viable and sustained level of
skilled and knowledgeable people within the wastewater sector and communities.
Proposed Actions
Responsibility
1. Review the need for increased capacity and management training in human
Governments
resources development and planning.
Service providers
Regional organisations
Co-operating agencies
International counterparts
2. Carry out training needs analysis (TNA) for workforce and community groups Governments
to identify gaps in existing training, including communities and individuals. This
Service providers
should include reviews of current programmes, who needs training, the type of
Regional organisations
training required, and resources needed.
Co-operating agencies
International counterparts
3. Identify funding sources for training programme development.
Governments
Service providers
Regional organisations
Co-operating agencies
4. Develop island specific training programmes and pilot projects, identify
Governments
resources for delivery (e.g. staffing, equipment etc.), secure funding and
Service providers
implement them.
Regional organisations
Co-operating agencies
NGOs
5. Evaluate performance of human resource development planning based on
Governments
improved wastewater management.
Service providers
Regional organisations
Co-operating agencies
International counterparts
11
Proposed Actions
Responsibility
6. Periodically go back to Actions 1 and 2 to assure sustainability.
Governments
Service providers
Regional organisations
Co-operating agencies
International counterparts
12
V.
CONCLUDING STATEMENTS
The meeting appreciated the financial support of the Government of Belgium, through the
UNEP/GPA Coordination Office, and the Government of New Zealand to organise the
Regional Wastewater Meeting. The meeting further acknowledged the support of the Republic
of the Marshall Islands for hosting the meeting and the support from the Government of
Taiwan/ROC.
The meeting acknowledged the support of the CROP organisations, SOPAC and SPREP for
organising the meeting, and all member countries and organisations represented who
provided resource persons.
The meeting agreed that the Pacific Wastewater Policy Statement and Framework for Action
provide valuable tools to develop national policies and strategies to support national
sustainable development within the existing framework for the region as well as the GPA
framework.
The meeting recommended that the text of the Pacific Wastewater Policy Statement and the
Pacific Wastewater Framework for Action be submitted to the SOPAC Governing Council for
its consideration and endorsement.
The meeting recommended that following the SOPAC Council Meeting, the Secretariat pass
the policy and framework for action to other regional organisations and other policy bodies as
appropriate for consideration.
The meeting invited the UNEP/GPA Coordination Office to facilitate the presentation of the
Pacific Wastewater Policy Statement and Framework for Action at the First Intergovernmental
Review Meeting of the Implementation of the Global Programme of Action (GPA), scheduled
for 26-30th November 2001, in Montreal. UNEP/GPA Coordination Office was requested to
assist PIC representatives to attend the meeting and provide opportunities to interact with
donors to secure funding for demonstration projects.
The meeting recommended that a Pacific Wastewater Focal Group be established to continue
the dialogue on wastewater in the region.
The meeting recommended that Pacific Island Countries develop National Frameworks for
Action and establish National Wastewater Focal groups.
13