ASIATODAY.ID, MANILA — As urban water insecurity deepens, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $60.9 million financing package to overhaul water supply and sanitation systems in key urban centers of Papua New Guinea.
The investment targets Port Moresby and Vanimo, aiming to expand access to safe drinking water, strengthen public health protections, and build climate-resilient and sustainable urban water and sanitation infrastructure.
First Major Water-Sector Loan in Over 25 Years
ADB Country Director for PNG Takafumi Kadono described the project as a milestone in ADB–PNG cooperation, marking ADB’s first loan to Papua New Guinea’s water sector in more than 25 years.
The financing package includes:
– $30 million in regular ordinary capital resources
– $30.9 million in concessional ordinary capital resources
– $3 million in counterpart funding from the Government of PNG
– $1.5 million in ADB technical assistance grants to support digital systems integration, institutional strengthening, and exploration of public–private partnership opportunities
The Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Security and Resilience Improvement Project will enhance the reliability of piped water systems, rehabilitate wastewater infrastructure, and strengthen the operational and financial capacity of state-owned utility Water PNG Limited.
Reaching 160,000 Urban Residents
More than 160,000 people, including residents of informal settlements, are expected to directly benefit from improved access to safe and reliable water. Sanitation upgrades will ensure treated wastewater is safely discharged, reducing risks to public health and the environment.
Papua New Guinea currently records some of the lowest water supply and sanitation access levels in the Pacific region. Rapid urbanization has strained aging infrastructure, while climate change—through prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and intensified flooding—has further undermined water security. Climate adaptation measures are therefore embedded throughout the project design.
City-by-City Interventions
Port Moresby
– Rehabilitation of the Mount Eriama Water Treatment Plant
– Expansion of storage capacity and distribution networks
– Reduction of nonrevenue water losses
– Refurbishment of the Waigani sewage treatment ponds to improve effluent quality and environmental protection
Vanimo
– Development of an entirely new, climate-resilient reticulated water supply system
– Use of groundwater and spring sources
– Construction of treatment facilities and metered household connections
Climate Action, Digital Transformation, and Policy Alignment
The project supports PNG’s National Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Policy 2015–2030 and aligns with ADB’s Strategy 2030 Midterm Review, particularly its priorities on climate action, digital transformation, and private sector development.
Founded in 1966, ADB is a leading multilateral development bank owned by 69 members. Through innovative financing and strategic partnerships, ADB continues to support inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific—delivering quality infrastructure while safeguarding public health and the environment.
This $60.9 million intervention underscores a clear warning: without urgent investment, urban water crises will intensify—but with decisive action, resilience is still within reach. (AT Network)
Follow Us at Google News and WA Channel