Overview

The Water and Sanitation Engineering Division (WSED) is mandated to ensure that the people of Kiribati have reliable access to safe and sufficient water supplies and improved sanitation facilities and practices.

Main Goal: 

“To increase inclusive and sustainable access to potable water and safe sanitation systems through risk-informed and climate-resilient innovations.”

Key Responsibilities

WSED oversees, coordinates, and implements various water and sanitation projects across Kiribati, with support from multiple development partners. The Department ensures that all programs align with national goals for sustainable water management, climate resilience, and community well-being.

Ongoing Projects and Initiatives

Water Scarcity Project - Focuses on developing an Asset Management Plan, improving solar water reticulation systems, and maintaining desalination plants across the outer islands.

WASH from the Start - Aims to support surveying, monitoring, and planning for the repair and rehabilitation of WASH facilities, particularly in healthcare centres and schools. The project also promotes WASH awareness at both community and institutional levels.

South Tarawa Sanitation Project (STSP) - Works to expand access to the existing 3Bs (Bik. Bai. Bet) sewage infrastructure, improve fecal sludge management, and strengthen operation and maintenance (O&M) of sanitation systems, including saltwater supply and sewerage networks. In addition, the project also focuses on improving sanitation on four villages on South Tarawa, namely Nanikaai, Teaoraereke West, Abarao and Ananau Causeway, through construction of household and communal onsite sanitation facilities. The primary objective of the project is to scale up access to safely managed sanitation to the people on South Tarawa and to strengthen the institutional capacity of MISE and PUB as service providers.

South Tarawa Water Supply Project (STWSP) - Focuses on the construction of two desalination plants (Betio and McKenzie), the procurement of a water distribution network, and water management services. The project also incorporates Water Awareness Programs, Sanitation Pilots, and Water Reserve Management initiatives. The project aims to provide potable water to South Tarawa and Betio, from the Betio and McKenzie desalination plants, on a 24/7 basis.

Governance for Resilience Project -  Scope of works for this project is on the  two islands which are North Tarawa and Banaba which focused on the maintenance and operation of existing rainwater harvesting systems through risk informed decision approach. The project aims to improve the existing rainwater harvesting systems in providing potable water to the local community on North Tarawa and Banaba. https://www.undp.org/pacific/gov4res

Contact Information:

📞 Phone: 74026192 / 63030120

📠 Extension: 214 / 215

✉️ Email: wsed@mise.gov.ki

WSED Team