Department of Water Resources-Vanuatu

📍 Field Update – North Malekula

GGGI has successfully completed a field assessment under the REnew Pacific-funded “Empowering Rural Communities of Vanuatu through Renewable Energy Solutions” project.

The mission involved engaging with communities, schools, and health facilities across North Malekula to better understand local energy needs and opportunities for sustainable solutions.

This assessment is an important step toward improving access to reliable and clean energy for rural communities in Vanuatu. 🇻🇺⚡



Ministry Of Lands & Natural Resources GGGI Pacific

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Working Together for Safe and Reliable Water in Penama

Communities across Penama are strengthening access to safe, reliable, and climate-resilient water through the Vanuatu Water Security Project. 💧🌏

Over 50 participants, including government officers, community representatives, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) stakeholders, joined trainings and workshops in May to improve water planning, management, and system maintenance.

🤝 Supported by the Green Climate Fund , MFAT, UNICEF , and SPC , these activities are helping communities prepare for droughts, extreme weather, and future climate risks while improving coordination and sustainable water services across the province.
Together, we are building stronger and more resilient water systems for communities in Penama and across Vanuatu 🇻🇺



Ministry Of Lands & Natural Resources Green Climate Fund New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu UNICEF Pacific Pacific-Community-SPC Penama Provincial Updates

URGENT MAINTENANCE WORK & REPAIR NOTICE‼️❗️

Ministry Of Lands & Natural Resources Luganville Municipal Council

The Department of Water Resources participated in the Final Stakeholder Workshop of the Rural WASH Supply and Demand Study – Vanuatu in Port Vila on 21 May 2026.

The study highlights key challenges affecting access to sanitation, handwashing, safe water, and menstrual hygiene management services in rural communities. Findings will help guide future policies, planning, and investments to improve WASH services across Vanuatu.

🚰Improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services is essential for healthier communities, reducing preventable diseases, and supporting student wellbeing and learning continuity. 📚🧼

DoWR thanks UNICEF Pacific, Griffith University, Engineers Without Borders in Vanuatu, government partners, and participating communities for their support and collaboration.



Ministry Of Lands & Natural Resources UNICEF Pacific Engineers Without Borders in Vanuatu Engineers Without Borders in Vanuatu

📣 ISANGEL WATER CUT NOTICE ‼️

Notis ia hemi stap ko long yumi ol kastoma blong wota blong Isangel Wota sapplae.

Ministry Of Lands & Natural Resources

The Discovery of Saratamata New Groundwater Source on Ambae Island

Saratamata, located on the eastern windward side of Ambae Island and serving as the administrative headquarters of Penama Province, has faced increasing pressure on its water supply due to population growth and expanding infrastructure. In response, the Department of Water Resources initiated a multi-year hydrogeological investigation beginning in 2023, progressing from field observations and conceptual modelling to geophysical surveys and drilling. Early findings identified that groundwater occurrence is strongly controlled by elevation, volcanic geology, and rainfall patterns. High-elevation recharge zones (400–900 masl), combined with permeable volcanic scoria, favourable topography, and fractured geological formations, enabled rainfall to infiltrate and migrate downslope into lower-elevation aquifers. By 2024, geophysical surveys confirmed a promising groundwater target area, leading to successful drilling in 2025, which intercepted productive volcanic layers and multiple water-bearing zones, validating the conceptual model.

In 2026, aquifer testing demonstrated excellent performance, with a sustainable yield of 7.84 L/s, minimal drawdown, high transmissivity, and strong borehole efficiency, confirming the aquifer’s capacity to support long-term water supply. Notably, pumping tests revealed consistent groundwater level recovery during late afternoon to early morning periods, even under continuous abstraction, indicating active and rapid recharge from high-elevation precipitation zones rather than tidal influence. These findings confirm a highly responsive and productive groundwater system. The Saratamata programme illustrates a successful transition from scientific investigation to practical water resource development, establishing a reliable and resilient water supply solution that significantly strengthens long-term water security for the communities of Ambae Island.

Ministry Of Lands & Natural Resources New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu UNICEF Pacific Penama Provincial Updates

An Area Administrator (AA) training for PENAMA was held last week from 18 - 21 May 2026 at Lemus Guest House funded by the Green Climate Fund through the Government of Vanuatu with Technical support from UNICEF was very eventful.

Some highlights from the workshop:

- Highlight the importance of strong Area Council engagement at every stage of the National Implementation Plan/Capital Assistance Program (NIP/CAP) process.
- Strengthen coordination and collaboration between Area Council and Provincial levels throughout the NIP/CAP process.
- Promote collaborative action across all levels such as Community, Area Council, Provincial, and National to achieve NSDP and SDG targets.
- Build the capacity of Area Administrators and Community Liaison Officers to develop Area Council Action Plans that integrate climate‑risk assessments, Drinking Water Safety and Security Plan (DWSSP) linkages, and priority sites.
- Ensure active participation of Area Council in planning, implementation, and monitoring of NIP/CAP activities under the GCF Vanuatu Water Security Project.

Ministry Of Lands & Natural Resources Green Climate Fund UNICEF Pacific New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu Pacific-Community-SPC Penama Provincial Updates

📣Vacancy Announcement‼️

Notis i stap ko long eni man o woman weh hemi interest blong applae. Fulumap PSC Form 3-2 mo sendem application blong yu kam wetem ol nara documens bifo June 4 2026.

Ministry Of Lands & Natural Resources New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu UNICEF Pacific Australian High Commission, Vanuatu Health Promotions Vanuatu

TOK SAVE LONG YUMI LONG LUGANVILLE!!!

DoWR hemi wantem apologize long eni inconvenience weh hemi kosem long yumi ol kastoma.

Ministry Of Lands & Natural Resources VBTC News

📣ANNOUNCEMENT‼️

The Department of Water Resources (DoWR) would like to inform the public that after the devastating 7.3 Earthquake of 2024 hitting Port Vila, the National Water Quality Laboratory has been relocated to the Stade area.

Ministry Of Lands & Natural Resources New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu Australian High Commission, Vanuatu UNICEF Pacific Vanuatu Red Cross Society Vanuatu Skills Partnership ADRA Vanuatu World Vision International - Vanuatu Health Promotions Vanuatu