The Republic of the Marshall Islands is a small island country located in the Pacific Ocean, made up of 1,156 individual islands and islets. With a population of around 60,000 people spread across five islands and 29 coral atolls, the country faces many challenges, including the critical need for drinking water storage. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the ‘Addressing Climate Vulnerability in the Water Sector’ (ACWA) Project for the Republic of the Marshall Islands in 2021 to address this issue.

The project aimed to increase the resilience of water supply in all outer islands and atolls, which accounts for approximately 28% of the RMI’s population of 60,000 residents, by improving household and community rainwater harvesting and water storage structures. The project found that rainwater harvesting and storage would be the most viable and cost-effective option to meet the drought water security needs of the rural communities in the RMI’s atolls and islands.

The UNDP has invested over US$24 million in the ACWA project, which is the organization’s largest contribution to the Northern Pacific region. The project is set to benefit the Marshall Islands and will improve their ability to adapt to the growing risks associated with climate change, such as extreme drought and stormwater inundation. Through the ACWA project, households and communities will be equipped with better rainwater harvesting and storage structures, and groundwater resources will be protected from contamination. The project will also strengthen the technical capacities of national and sub-national institutions, as well as key stakeholders, to help them better manage water resources in the face of climate change. The ACWA project also aims to promote gender equality and social inclusion by empowering women and youth in remote Atolls and Islands. This will be achieved by providing training opportunities and increasing awareness of climate change and water safety management. Overall, the ACWA project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 6 for Clean Water and Sanitation, and SDG 13 for Climate Action. The project is an important step towards building resilience to the impacts of climate change and achieving a sustainable future for the Marshall Islands.

To support the project, KlipTank participated in the tender at the end of 2021 and was awarded the project in 2022. KlipTank is a company that specializes in the supply of above-ground modular composite bulk storage tanks for water and dairy effluent. With over 13 years of experience, KlipTank has delivered more than 600 tanks to the New Zealand and international market, making it a reliable and trustworthy partner for the project.

KlipTank will supply approximately 280 water storage tanks over a three-year period, made up of two tank sizes with a storage capacity of between 34,000 litres and 56,000 litres. The company’s flat pack modular water tanks were selected for their durability, ease and speed of construction, high life expectancy, safe drinking water storage, and transportability. Shipping of large tanks to small communities in the outer atolls and islands is a major constraint for other tank types as materials typically need to be offloaded on to small boats because of a lack of wharf infrastructure in remote villages.

The KlipTank team, which includes in-house engineers proficient in CAD design, metal fabrication and plastic fabrication, can customize tanks for most applications. KlipTank is excited to be part of the solution to deliver safe drinking water to 2,606 households and 160 community facilities across the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The company feels privileged and humbled to be part of this inspiring project.

KlipTank involvement in the project is a remarkable example of how a company can make a positive impact on communities in need. With its innovative and cost-effective approach to water storage, KlipTank is providing a critical infrastructure upgrade to the Marshall Islands. The project will improve access to drinking water storage and rainwater harvesting for households and community facilities, increasing the resilience of water supply in the region. KlipTank’s commitment to this project highlights the importance of corporate social responsibility and how it can make a significant difference in people’s lives.

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Kliptank is a New Zealand-based company that has established itself as a leader in innovative storage solutions for rainwater, chemicals, and wastewater. Founded in 2009, Kliptank has grown to become a premier provider of modular tanks and containers for a diverse range of applications in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The company is dedicated to sustainability, reflected in the design of its products which are durable, easy to install, and environmentally conscious. With the added benefit of no concrete foundation required in most cases, the utilization of Kliptank tanks contributes towards the enhancement of green credentials and the potential for Green Star building credits.

For more information, visit www.kliptank.com, or contact: info@kliptank.com