Nakolo Now has 24-Hour Water

The village of Nakolo has had ongoing water problems. They have had insufficient potable water for years. Nakolo often runs out of water such that families have NO water. Driving through Nakolo, we see children carrying water bottles to the LDS chapel to get water for cooking and other needs. At times when there is no water, the people sometimes bathe in the ocean.

The Ministry of Health in their letter states, "Inadequate water has caused a lot of problems including typhoid."


While trying to solve their problem themselves, the submersible pump was dropped down the borehole and was unable to be retrieved.

Lueni Huni brought this water issue to our attention back in December 2017. The bishop, the water committee chairman (who only speaks Tongan), and the stake president all came to our home to discuss LDS Charities helping the village solve their water needs. LDS Charities worked with Nakolo for about a year trying to come up with a solution for this problem.  At first, we were going to remove the blockage from the second borehole and use that borehole for a back up system as the old diesel engine was leaking to the point of no repair. The specialists we work with tried to remove the blockage in the borehole to no avail. The plan then had to be altered, as the existing second borehole was thus unable to be used. Drilling another borehole was proposed to the government who approved credit for drilling but the Ministry of Health vetoed a new borehole because it would be too close to the village and there could be seepage of outhouses into the new water supply. 

The government wants to get away from diesel pumps as they are bad for the environment. They want cleaner more environment friendly systems. We were unable to use solar, which was our first choice, because the borehole is over 200 feet deep. There was an electrical power source  near the pump. It was finally decided after much discussions with the Tongan Government, town officer and water committee that we would have to use electrical, which was the least favorite solution for the town officer and water committee chair but they did finally agree it was the only option.




Tonga Power installed another power pole closer to the borehole and PAO Plumbing installed the submersible electrical pump. The system was hooked up. The village now has water 24 hours a day.



When the electric system was installed, we walked through the Service Center. Bishop Mosese Hiliau stopped us and said, "I'm ALL SMILES. Nakolo now has water 24 hours a day!"

The handover was held after we came home to Canada. Pictures courtesy of Silongo Samani, country manager.

We Grow closer to the savior as we, out of pure love, serve others for him.                                                         Henry B Eyring