News
SMEC
wins
water
supply
and
wastewater
project
in
Bina
Harbour,
Solomon
Islands
SMEC has been engaged by the Solomon Islands Water Authority (Solomon Water) to undertake a feasibility study into the water supply and wastewater treatment requirements for a new port, a tuna processing plant and the surrounding residential areas at the Bina Harbour in Malaita province, the Solomon Islands.

The overall initiative, known as the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project, is being developed by the Solomon Islands Government in partnership with the private sector.

Funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the feasibility study requires SMEC to assess the viability of water sources, transmission and treatment for the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project, including the surrounding villages, and the facility’s sanitation and wastewater treatment and disposal requirements. SMEC’s services include demand forecasts for water supply and sewerage assessments, water supply options assessment, sanitation assessment, power supply requirements, economic and financial analyses, and environmental and social safeguards assessment.

The planned Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project is expected to create thousands of jobs, generate foreign direct investments and help provide economic security for the Solomon Islands. Technical design work on the project is expected to continue for the next 12 months, at which point the Solomons Government should be in a position to start thinking about choosing an investor.

“We are excited for this opportunity to contribute to this important project, which if shown to be feasible will have a big impact on the economy and people of the Solomon Islands,” said Norman Walker, SMEC’s ASEAN Urban Water Sector Manager. “We will leverage the proven capability of our team of international experts and SMEC’s experience in undertaking water supply and wastewater projects in the region to be able to deliver a detailed feasibility study to the client.”

SMEC has built strong relationships with clients and other stakeholders in the Solomon Islands since it started operating locally in 1977 and has delivered a number of projects in the water and environment, transport infrastructure, energy, urban and social development, education and governance and government advisory sectors. SMEC is currently working with Solomon Water on another project, the detailed engineering design of the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project – Phase 2.

Map showing Bina Harbour survey areas.