THERE is no fixed cost for providing emergency water assistance for a community experiencing a shortage, according to Acting Commissioner Northern Apolosi Lewaqai.
Mr Lewaqai said the cost varied depending on the location, population, accessibility and type of assistance required.
“There is no fixed or standard cost for responding to a community experiencing water shortages,” he said.
He said water carting operations were assessed on a case-by-case basis.
“The distance between a water source and an affected community was one of the factors determining the cost.
“The frequency and duration of carting operations, along with the number of households requiring assistance, also affected expenses.
“Road conditions and transport logistics could increase the cost of reaching remote communities.”
He said additional expenses could arise when temporary storage tanks, water distribution equipment or emergency repairs were required.
“Maritime communities can also require additional logistical support because of the need to transport water by sea.
“Response costs are assessed and coordinated by the relevant agencies based on operational requirements and the severity of the water supply situation.”
He said government agencies were expected to deploy available resources according to the needs of affected communities.
The response, he said, would therefore differ between communities, depending on the extent of their shortages and the infrastructure available.
He said the Government remained committed to ensuring affected communities received timely assistance.
He said agencies would continue assessing the situation as dry conditions persisted.
