The Water Resources Management Division has responsibilities in the assessment, administration, management and planning of water resources in Solomon Islands.

Such responsibilities are addressed through existing legislation such as the Water Rivers Act and the Solomon Islands Water Authority Act, government and ministerial/sector policies and divisional work plans. This includes assessment for groundwater and surface water availability for domestic, agriculture, industrial uses and energy development. The Division also helps draft water policy and legislation that ensure the protection, restoration and enhancement of Solomon Islands’ water resources. 

In addition to these roles and responsibilities, the Division also carries out Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDR) focusing mainly on flood monitoring and early warning systems. 

The Water Resources Management Division is comprised of the following units:

 

Directorate

The Directorate office deals with the overall organisational, administrative and management of the Division. It also deals with policy and legislation in coordination with other ministries, regional and international organisations. Furthermore, it deals with planning, budgeting and coordination of the Water Resources Management Division. The office is responsible to the Permanent Secretary. It carrying out its duties, the Directorate is responsible for the oversight of the following activities:

  1. Implementation of hydrology and water resources programs;
  2. Promote water governance programs for sustainable water resources development management – WATSAN Policy and water resources legislation);
  3. Conduct programs to support to disaster risk management for vulnerable communities in the  rural areas and urban areas;
  4. Promotion of programs to improve resilience of water supply sources in rural and urban water supplies and
  5. Providing water resources data for other sectoral developments such as renewable energy – hydropower, water supplies, roads & bridges, agricultural, mining and other industrial developments.

Related Links

Water Policy Formulation

Water Permits

 

Hydrology

The Hydrogeology Section provides technical support towards the investigation, monitoring and assessment of potential groundwater resources for human consumption, agricultural and industrial development. It also conducts geophysical surveys on ground water and gives advice to the public and institutions who want to undertake ground water extractions.

The Section’s work on ground water extractions is supported by the Geological Survey Division which offers advice on the geology of an area where drilling operations for water extraction purposes maybe required. 

Related Links

Geological Survey Division

 

Hydrogeology

The Hydrogeology Section provides technical support towards the investigation, monitoring and assessment of potential groundwater resources for human consumption, agricultural and industrial development. It also conducts geophysical surveys on ground water and gives advice to the public and institutions who want to undertake ground water extractions.

 

Drilling

The newly-established Drilling Section promotes the implementation of community water supply improvement and other related developments in the country. Existing projects that are being implemented also endeavour to achieve a sustainable water supply for people at the urban and rural communities now and in the future.

Drilling services intend to provide the following items and services:

  1. Drilling equipment (rotary type) and associated tools/chemicals
  2. Air Compressor (borehole cleaning)
  3. Vehicles (towing and transport for staff)
  4. Submersible pump & portable generator (pumping tests)
  5. Garage and office refurbishment for equipment and staff

Related Links

About Drilling Services

Contact the Water Resources Management Division for enquiries

 

Policy and Management

The Policy and Management Section mainly deals with water resources policy and legislation. It also coordinates water resource management projects with the cooperation of international and regional organisations. It also administers the Solomon Islands water resources Acts and is responsible for conducting water policy consultations and awareness. The Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) approach is a new approach taken by the section as a way of managing water resources.

Related Links

pdf River Waters Act 1996 (61 KB)

pdf Solomon Islands Water Authority Act 1992 (2.03 MB)

Water Policy Formulation