This report outlines the findings of a rapid technical assessment carried out by the National Wastewater Taskforce (NWWTF) on the Port Vila Urban Wastewater Treatment System. The assessment is aligned with the Government of Vanuatu’s 100 Days Plan and was initiated in response to growing concerns surrounding wastewater management in the Central Business District (CBD) of Port Vila. Following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck on December 7, the CBD area experienced significant structural damage, especially to buildings and infrastructures constructed during the colonial period through to the 1980s and 1990s. Many of these buildings do not have Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) records, thereby hindering regulatory checks and assessments of their wastewater treatment and discharge systems. With ongoing demolition and reconstruction activities rendering the CBD area temporarily closed, this period presents a timely opportunity for the government to assess and address longstanding deficiencies in the urban wastewater infrastructure. The assessment specifically focused on identifying current system weaknesses, environmental risks, and opportunities for rehabilitation and upgrades.
Key observations indicated that:
Many small and medium-sized buildings, particularly those built by Chinese contractors, rely primarily on septic tank systems.
Larger infrastructure such as hotels and multi-story buildings possesses their own wastewater treatment plants.
Outside the CBD, institutions such as Vila Central Hospital and businesses like Holiday Inn also discharge untreated or poorly treated wastewater directly into the environment, with instances of raw effluent being released without appropriate filtration or treatment.
Comparative Performance Overview
The assessment revealed major performance gaps in wastewater handling practices, particularly in terms of:
Inadequate treatment prior to discharge.
Lack of standardization in system design and sanitation infrastructure.
