Desalination Plantfor a Water-Secure Future in South Tarawa, Kiribati
Kiribati, one of the most remote and least developed nations globally, faces significant environmental challenges, particularly due to its vulnerability to climate change. The capital, South Tarawa, relies heavily on underground freshwater lenses for its water supply. However, climate change-induced events such as rising sea levels and extended droughts are threatening the quantity and quality of these freshwater sources. In extreme cases, these lenses could yield zero freshwater for up to five years, making them an unreliable water source for the future.
To address these challenges, this project focuses on enhancing water security for the entire population of South Tarawa by providing a sustainable and climate-resilient water supply. A state-of-the-art desalination plant with a capacity of 4,000 m3 will be constructed, along with a photovoltaic system to provide low-emission, renewable power for the plant and the water supply network. This initiative will eliminate the need for residents to boil drinking water, thus reducing emissions from fuel and firewood burning, while ensuring a safe and reliable water supply.
QPT Services played a crucial role in optimizing the desalination equipment’s performance, conducting a detailed heat removal analysis, and appropriately sizing the ventilation fans with Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) for efficient operation. Additionally, air-conditioning systems were designed based on local conditions, incorporating filtered outside air systems to remove high salinity air before entering the desalination rooms.
