Toyama Prefectural University x Messah Island Grassroots Technical Cooperation Project ～Capacity Improvement Support Project for Maintenance and Management of RO Membrane Filtration System in Messah Island～

Messah Island, one of the islands in West Manggarai without domestic water supply coverage, has long relied on purchasing domestic water from Labuan Bajo on the main island. Transported by boat, the cost of water is extremely high about Rp. 5000 per 20 liters, with households using a minimum of 20 up to 60 liters daily for basic needs like drinking and cooking, not including laundry and bathing.

Under JICA Partnership program, Toyama Prefectural University is addressing this challenge with project “Support Project for Capacity Improvement, Establishment of Sustainable System on Maintenance of RO Membrane Filtration System in Messah Island.”

Four RO membrane filtration units, which were assembled on site, have been installed and two of them are now in operation without any problems. To manage these systems, an association consisting of twenty members has been established. This project helps local people to have access to sustainable and affordable supply of fresh water.
This project, supported by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, aims to provide long term solutions for freshwater access.

“We hope that RO Membrane Filtration System Devices can be utilized optimally, allowing local people to access fresh water and ensuring its sustainability of the equipment. We also hope that this project can be a model for other islands so that they can benefit from the access to fresh water as well,” said Mr. Charles, from the Directorate General of Public Works, and Housing Infrastructure Financing.

This project is ongoing and is expected to be concluded in 2025