Isolated areas" study: Identify households in need of water, not connected to the network

In New Caledonia, the population’s water supply is managed by the municipalities. They have no obligation to connect a home if it is not connected to a distribution network if the location of the house(s) is not consistent with their urbanization objectives. In New Caledonia, many households manage their water supply.  However, lack of water is considered a strong health risk. Access to water is a health determinant.

The intermediate results of the study show that in 2022, out of 26 communes, i.e. about 30% of the inhabitants and households of New Caledonia :

-93.4% of households are supplied with water by communal services;

-5.7% of households are supplied privately (catchments, boreholes, etc. on private property);

-0.9 of households are in a water shortage situation.

Among these people in a water shortage situation:

508 inhabitants (0.6% pop for 26 communes) are waiting for an existing water supply project carried out by a commune.

323 inhabitants (0.4 % pop NC for 26 communes) are without a public water supply project.

Finally, the report points out that many actions still need to be taken. These include:

-Finalizing the inventory with the remaining 7 communes;

-Creating support tools;

- Prioritizing the areas of households in a water shortage situation;

 -Evaluating the evolution of the situation throughout New Caledonia;

-Identifying partners to support the projects of municipalities and individuals;

- Reaching the 2019 PEP objective of providing 150 litres of drinking water per day per inhabitant.

A need was identified by the Department of Health and Social Affairs (DASS) of the New Caledonian Government. A study conducted by EAU NC SARL and funded by the European Union through PROTEGE.

Find the full interim results of the study below.