As someone who frequently visits the Joyce Bay community in Moresby South to see friends, family, and attend church, I have witnessed firsthand the severe water shortage that has gripped the community since 2023. What was once a basic necessity has now become a daily struggle. The ongoing crisis has gone beyond mere inconvenience—it now presents a serious threat to public health and human dignity.
Previously, water was supplied directly to every household. However, since 2023, the supply has drastically declined. Today, it reaches only a few homes, largely due to low water pressure. This issue is further worsened by illegal water connections and the widespread use of electric water pumps—especially by rental properties—which divert water from the main supply. As a result, residents, particularly women and girls, are forced to walk long distances—sometimes to Kaugere, Sabama, Butuka, or Kilakila—in search of water. In many cases, they must pay to fetch water from neighbours who are still fortunate enough to receive a supply, adding an extra financial burden.
Water now flows only during short, unpredictable intervals—typically around 6 AM, 2 PM, or 6 PM—before cutting off again. For over six months this year, no water has flowed to Zones 4, 5, 6, and 7. Residents in these areas continue to suffer without any access to piped water.
Residents have also raised serious concerns about the quality of water when it does flow. Many report that it tastes unpleasant—similar to well water—likely due to contamination from aging and corroded pipes. This raises further health concerns, especially for children and vulnerable community members.
According to community members, there are unpaid water bills that may also be a factor in the current rationing. Water PNG, as the service provider, is urged to clarify the rationale behind the ongoing water restrictions and help the community understand whether these bills are also a contributing factor to the prolonged outages.
The rising population in Joyce Bay has placed additional pressure on basic services. Unfortunately, the city’s aging water infrastructure—some of which dates back to the colonial era—can no longer meet the demands of the growing community. Much of this infrastructure, including pipes and sewerage systems, is in urgent need of upgrades and replacement to accommodate the area’s expanding population, housing developments, and public services.
This scarcity has escalated into a public health emergency. Many families are being forced to reuse water for drinking, cooking, washing, and sanitation, putting them at serious risk of contracting waterborne and communicable diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, skin infections, and respiratory illnesses. In the absence of running water, some residents have resorted to bathing in polluted seawater, often during late or early hours, when no other options are available.
As a concerned citizen, I call on the following key stakeholders to take immediate and coordinated action:
- Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, MP for Moresby South
- Water PNG
- NCDC authorities
- Health inspectors
- Relevant government agencies
Recommended urgent actions include:
- Removing illegal water connections that are reducing access for others. This issue must be addressed promptly to ensure fairness and restore flow to disconnected households.
- Regulating the use of electric water pumps to ensure equitable water distribution.
- Restoring a consistent and safe water supply to all households, especially in Zones 4 to 7.
- Clarifying the cause of water rationing, including the status of unpaid community water bills.
- Addressing the quality of water and inspecting aging pipelines suspected of causing contamination.
- Providing emergency water relief through tanks or trucks until long-term infrastructure solutions are implemented.
- Engaging the community in open, inclusive, and transparent discussions to identify sustainable, community-driven solutions for water management and distribution.
Access to clean, safe, and reliable water is a universal human right, as affirmed by Article 25 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The people of Joyce Bay deserve health, dignity, and consistent access to this essential resource.
I stand with the Joyce Bay community in calling for swift and decisive action to resolve this crisis and restore this vital service to the community.
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