Papua New Guinea's Water Pollution: Causes And Concerns

Papua New Guinea has the poorest level of access to clean water in the world, with more than 60% of the population living without it. The country's water pollution is caused by large-scale mining operations, industrial waste, and vehicle emissions. The Porgera Joint Venture (PJV) gold mine, for example, releases over 14,000 tons of mine waste into the Pongema River daily, causing high concentrations of heavy metals and turning the river red. This has led to a scarcity of potable water and adverse health effects on nearby communities. The government has implemented initiatives like the National WaSH Policy to improve water access and sanitation, but progress has been slow.

Mining pollution

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has the lowest water and sanitation access indicators out of 15 developing Pacific Island nations. More than 60% of the population lives without access to clean water, and approximately 4.8 million people in PNG do not have access to clean water. This has resulted in rampant diseases, such as cholera and diarrhea, which kill people every day. The situation is particularly dire for the poorest people, for whom getting ill or even dying from drinking dirty water is a common occurrence.

The impact of mining pollution on water quality in PNG is exacerbated by the lack of proper waste and chemical management systems. While the government has developed a National Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) policy, recognizing WaSH access as a basic human right, there are significant capacity challenges in planning, finance, and service delivery at the subnational level. Local governments, responsible for WaSH service delivery, are constrained by remoteness, limited resources, and low technical capacity.

The consequences of mining pollution in PNG are severe, with entire rivers, creeks, and even rainwater affected by acidity. People living in areas impacted by mining pollution suffer from various illnesses due to the consumption of contaminated water. The situation has been acknowledged in reports such as "Red Water," which highlights the social, environmental, economic, and health impacts of gold mining in Porgera, PNG. The report calls for corporations, governments, and international partners to take action to improve access to clean water and reduce the environmental and health risks associated with mining activities.

To address the issue of mining pollution and improve water quality in PNG, several interventions have been proposed and implemented. The UNEP has been working with the PNG Government to strengthen institutional structures and develop an effective waste and chemical management system. Additionally, projects like the PNG Water and Sanitation Development Project, supported by the World Bank, aim to provide clean and reliable water supply services to tens of thousands of people across the country. Local communities and organizations, such as WaterAid, are also actively involved in installing tap stands and educating people about the importance of clean water and good hygiene practices.

Poor government policies

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is facing a water crisis due to a multitude of factors, including poor government policies and a lack of infrastructure and resources. The country's diverse and fragmented social landscape, with over 800 distinct languages, presents a significant challenge to the government in establishing a cohesive management and governance structure for delivering essential services such as clean water and sanitation.

One of the primary consequences of inadequate governance is the pollution of water resources. PNG's water resources are under immense pressure from industrial, mining, and agricultural pollutants, as well as poor sanitation systems. The government has implemented regulations to curb industrial and mining pollution and address sanitation and waste management issues. However, these policies face significant obstacles in their implementation due to financial constraints, a lack of infrastructure, and insufficient technical capacity.

The country's first National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) Policy, introduced in 2015, was a step towards improving access to clean water and sanitation. This policy framework aims to finance the expansion, rehabilitation, and maintenance of water and sanitation services in rural and peri-urban areas. Despite this progress, PNG continues to struggle with water pollution due to a lack of infrastructure for water treatment and disposal, limited economic resources, and insufficient community awareness about water quality issues.

The PNG government has expressed optimism about addressing these challenges through evidence-based policy reforms and institutional changes. The Water Supply and Sanitation Development Project, funded by the World Bank, is supporting this effort by strengthening water sector institutions and expanding water services to underserved areas. However, the government's ability to implement effective solutions is hampered by broader issues such as deforestation, failure to respect local land rights, and inadequate regulation and enforcement.

The water crisis in PNG has severe consequences, especially for the poorest communities. It is not uncommon for people in these communities to become ill or even die from consuming contaminated water. The lack of access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation facilities, and good hygiene practices disproportionately affects women and girls, who often bear the burden of water collection for their families.

Lack of infrastructure

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has one of the lowest rates of access to safe drinking water in the Pacific Islands, with only 40% of the population having access. This is due in large part to the country's lack of infrastructure.

PNG's lack of infrastructure is a significant challenge to providing access to clean water and adequate sanitation. The country's diverse and fragmented social landscape, with over 800 distinct languages, presents a complex governance structure for delivering services. PNG's weak sector institutions, lack of accountability, and inadequate monitoring have hindered developments in water and sanitation. The government has struggled to establish a functional management system, resulting in limited progress in improving water access and sanitation facilities.

The remote district of Bialla in West New Britain Province, for instance, faces significant challenges in accessing clean drinking water and proper toilets. The long dry season in this region further exacerbates the water scarcity issue. The health center in Bialla serves staff and patients, including children, with only two pit toilets located a considerable distance away, posing health and safety risks, especially for women.

The country's waste management system is also inadequate due to limited waste collection infrastructure and rudimentary landfill designs. Local governments are responsible for household waste collection, but they often lack the capacity to properly regulate solid and chemical waste disposal, particularly in urban areas. This results in illegal dumping and the pollution of waterways, beaches, and seas. Additionally, the lack of consistent data on solid waste composition and quantity further hinders effective waste management and the design of new landfill sites.

To address these issues, the PNG Government, in collaboration with development partners, is working on institutional reforms and policy changes. The Water Supply and Sanitation Development Project supports water sector institutions like Water PNG and aims to expand water services to underserved areas. The project also builds coalitions among organizations to drive momentum toward improving access to clean, safe water for more Papua New Guineans.

Poor sanitation

The lack of access to clean water is exacerbated by inadequate sanitation infrastructure, with 6.2 million people lacking access to basic toilets. This is particularly detrimental to the health and well-being of women and girls, who are often responsible for collecting water for their families. They face long walks, sometimes across steep and rugged terrain, to reach distant water sources. The Bialla Health Center, for example, has only two pit toilets to serve both staff and patients, including children, and they are located more than 20 meters away, presenting a challenge for those with illnesses or disabilities.

The government of Papua New Guinea has recognized the importance of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in improving the health, education, and livelihoods of its citizens. They have implemented initiatives such as the National Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) Policy in 2015, which aims to provide equitable access to safe and sustainable water supply and sanitation. However, progress has been slow, with only a 6% increase in access to clean water since 1990, and a 1% drop in improved sanitation coverage during the same period.

To address these challenges, the government is working with organizations like WaterAid and the World Bank. WaterAid has been active in Papua New Guinea since 2012, promoting good hygiene practices and working to make clean water and decent toilets a normal part of daily life. The World Bank has supported the PNG Water and Sanitation Development Project with a US$70 million investment, aiming to deliver access to clean and reliable water supply services to tens of thousands of people across the country.

Despite these efforts, Papua New Guinea continues to face significant capacity challenges in planning, finance, and service delivery. Local-level governments, responsible for WaSH service delivery, are constrained by remoteness, limited resources, and low technical capacity. There is a need for increased investment in waste management services and improved data on solid waste composition and quantity. Additionally, air quality monitoring and targeted policies to limit emissions from vehicles, waste burning, and industrial activities are necessary to reduce air pollution and its impact on water sources.

Lack of awareness about basic health necessities

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the wettest countries in the world, with an abundance of water sources. However, it struggles with poor water quality and a lack of awareness about basic health necessities. This is primarily due to large-scale mining operations, industrial waste, and inadequate waste management systems, which have contaminated water sources and limited access to clean water for many communities.

The country's high rainfall and disaster-prone climate also impact water availability and quality. For instance, during severe weather events and climate-related crises, surface water sources are vulnerable to pollution and contamination from human waste. The majority of water supplies in rural areas are sourced from wells, boreholes, and rainwater tanks, making them susceptible to changes in rainfall patterns and weather conditions.

The lack of awareness about basic health necessities is a critical issue in PNG, where over 80% of the population lives in remote areas with little to no modern facilities. Poor sanitation and hygiene practices further exacerbate the problem, leading to the spread of diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. The impact of this is twofold: firstly, it affects the health and well-being of individuals, with approximately 4.8 million people lacking access to clean water, and secondly, it hinders their ability to break out of poverty.

The government of PNG has recognized the importance of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in improving the health, education, and livelihoods of its citizens. However, service providers often lack the expertise and resources to deliver these essential services effectively. To address this, the government has launched initiatives such as the National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) policy in 2015 and partnered with organizations like WaterAid and Plan International to improve access to clean water and raise awareness about sanitation and hygiene practices.

Additionally, foreign aid and investment from countries like Australia have contributed to projects aimed at improving water quality and addressing waste management issues in PNG. These collaborative efforts are vital in ensuring that the population has access to consistent and safe drinking water, as well as the knowledge to maintain and utilize these resources effectively.

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