Final evaluation : operational program grant USAID 879-0251-G-SS-1005-00; Ha'apai water supply project, Kingdom of Tonga, June 30, 1981-May 31, 1985

Final special evaluation covers the period 6/81-5/85 and is based on site visits and beneficiary interviews. Implemented by the Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific, the Peace Corps, and the Tongan Ministries of Health and Works (MOH and MOW), the project constructed 786 water tanks (most used for household roof catchment) with a total capacity of 1,421,250 gallons and one well-water pumping system. Approximately 5,600 people in 22 villages on 16 islands have benefited directly from the increase in the fresh water supply and related improvements in sanitation. An unexpected project outcome was community participation; the project became village-oriented through the Niuola Women in Development Association, which trained Ha'apai villagers who themselves constructed 473 2250-gallon ferrocement tanks. During the evaluation, 776 of the 786 tanks were visited. Of 289 zincalume tanks (built by the MOW) surveyed, 80% were leaking (mostly minor leaks in the middle and bottom seams) because of substandard workmanship. About 80% of the Niuola tanks also had minor leaks, mostly caused by the lack of a plastic moisture barrier underneath the tank floor, insufficient building materials, and poor construction design; also, many of these tanks did not have proper lids and/or water taps. Five modular ferrocement tanks designed by the World Health Organization were found to be inappropriate because of the sophisticated equipment and excess supervision needed for construction, and the problem of transporting these heavy items to the outer islands. Of eleven larger (5,000-gallon) ferrocement community tanks constructed by the MOW, 82% remain full because villagers are now using their individual home tanks. Guttering has been completed on 80% of tanks constructed in the project, but improper hanging continues to be a problem. The pumping system constructed in Fangale'ounga village is administered by a newly established and successful village water committee. Recommendations are to extend the project for one year to repair the leaking tanks, upgrade the guttering, install water taps, make tanks mosquito/debris-proof, and train villagers to install and maintain these systems. The MOH should provide information on proper tank maintenance, possibly through radio.