On Kiritimati Island, clean water is more than a basic need – it’s a community effort. Thanks to the leadership of Nei Baneawa Women’s Association, families across the island are learning how to treat their water safely using bucket filters.
The filters remove over 99.9999% of bacteria and protozoa, but they only work if maintained properly. That’s why Nei Baneawa highlights the importance of daily backflushing, quarterly disinfection, and smart handling practices like washing hands and keeping filters away from direct sunlight.
Mrs. Banrenga Rutitea, Nei Baneawa’s current leader and co-facilitator of the filter distribution and trainings in the communities stated: “In our commitment to promote and support safe drinking water, we collaborated with the [Kiritimati Island Water] Project and representative of the Sawyer (filter manufacturer) company to distribute filter buckets and deliver training to every village ward, ensuring that each household, school, the majority of guesthouses and government offices on the island, received them.”
Recipients of the Sawyer bucket filters were eager to share their insights and experiences. Ms. Tekaabane Ioane, a resident of Tabwakea Village and a senior staff member at Te Villages Hotel, shared her feedback with SPC a few months after the distribution and training: “The advantages of utilizing this filter bucket are numerous, both for my family at home and for our staffs and guests here at Te Villages Hotel where I work. The most significant being its positive impact on our health after using it, its capacity to reduce our expenses on water treatment and access to safe water, and the time it saves by eliminating the need for boiling or treating water.”
Over 1,400 households on Kiritimati have now received Sawyer bucket filters, and it’s the women who are ensuring these tools are used correctly. From village to village, they’ve been leading training sessions, demonstrating maintenance techniques, and answering questions with patience and care.
The community’s reaction was incredibly positive; the introduction of these resources symbolized an anticipated major improvement in public health and well-being. Families expressed their appreciation for the newfound convenience of accessing clean water, while schoolchildren eagerly welcomed the chance to learn about the significance of hygiene and water safety.
Additionally, local leaders and village councilors recognized this as a crucial moment in their ongoing efforts to enhance living conditions and safeguard the environment in their respective villages.
As Nei Baneawa Women continue to support these life-changing initiatives, residents continue to embrace the changes. A palpable sense of hope and assurance emerged, paving the way for a healthier and more sustainable future for Kiritimati Island.
This life-changing initiative is made possible by the generous support of the European Union and the New Zealand Government, through SPC’s Kiritimati Island Water & Energy Projects.
This article was written by: Teburenga Geraldine Tabwebweiti, Communications and Engagement Assistant, Pacific Community (SPC)–Kiritimati Island Water & Energy Projects
