WESTERN Provincial capital of Gizo is once again being faced with one of its long-time problems of water shortage which has presented a lot of challenge for residents each day.
The decade long challenge is now giving a lot of pressure and stress to many families as the dry spell continues.
Although there were some showers, it does not last long that can help to fill up the water tanks in many homes.
And this has really affected many residents and families who are struggling each day to search for water for domestic use both in the bmornings and evenings. Even the ground bore holes have dried up.
Lack of a high mountain on the island is also contributing to less rainfall. Because of that most of the dark clouds that usually passed through have moved over to Kolombangara or Ranoggah because of the existing higher mountains.
Speaking to this paper in an interview with the Solomon Star Gizo yesterday, Collin Dennis, a Tophill resident said, the same old lifetime problem is back affecting many families unless a solution is found.
Mr. Dennis, a long-time resident has blamed climate change as the culprit that is now destroying the planet and causes global warming.
“Climate change is real and it has changed every aspect of our lives.”
He said the dry season is not new to Gizo but it’s getting worse. “We can tell that what causes this phenomenon is related to climate change.
“People living in Gizo really suffer the most when there’s water shortage.
“Families have to walk far in search for a water source. And sometimes it’s causing a stress because people even charges fee for the use of their water bore holes and wells. Sometimes the wells have dried up,” Dennis added.
Another prominent leader in Gizo, a retired government officer who wants to withheld his identity said, this water shortage issue also brought other issues, related to health where several bacterial and viral disease also spreads in the community, stealing of water from homes, assault, rape and other unpleasant sexual activities happen to girls especially when they go out to search for water during the night.
“Even though there have been no official cases recorded but I believe it is happening and it is a reality that occur silently and who knows,” the retired officer said.
According to initial reports from the Triage Outpatient at the Gizo Hospital, it stated that there is an increasing case of diarrhea and belly ache and is spreading since the beginning of the water shortage.
A nurse at the Gizo Hospital blamed the rising case of diarrhea due to drinking of dirty water that is located at the bottom of the water tanks.
“Other contributing factor is the practices of unsafe and unhygienic use of sanitation,” the nurse added.
Meanwhile, Solomon Water is slowly moving in to set up its new office Gizo. This is preparation for a major water project to be implemented in Gizo in the coming months. Under the project water is expected to be sourced and piped to Gizo from
Mile 6.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
