Samoa’s Independent Water Schemes Association recognised for Service at Pacific Awards

Samoa’s Independent Water Schemes Association (IWSA) has won the Best Customer Service Award under the Utilities in Transition category at the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association’s (PWWA) Benchmarking Awards Gala.

The Awards were supported by World Bank IBNET and held on August 28, 2025 in the Solomon Islands. IWSA Program Manager, Lesea’imalo Clarissa Laulala and IWSA Environmental Scientist, Emma Sinclair were in Honiara to receive the award, joining fellow winners from French Polynesia and Palau.

Independent Water Schemes are community-managed systems that place responsibility for water supply directly in the hands of villages. In Samoa, they operate under the fa’amatai system, with water committees established in village governance. Unlike centralised utilities, ownership and decision-making rest with the people who use the service.

“Community-led water management empowers people to be self-reliant and strengthens resilience in the face of challenges like climate change. When people are directly involved in decision-making and maintenance, they take ownership of the system and value it more, which ultimately makes it more sustainable,” said Lesea’imalo.

One initiative that highlights these strengths is the introduction of metering for spring-fed systems. For years, many families endured intermittent water supply. Now, meters have enabled better management of usage, and households once without reliable service have water flowing 24/7.

“Since the installation of meters, there has been a noticeable shift in water usage behaviour… families who once struggled with irregular access now receive water 24/7,” said Lesea’imalo. “With the Association’s technical support, the transition was smooth and, importantly, it helped build trust and confidence in the system.”

Despite these successes, challenges remain related to limited resources and water quality.

“The biggest challenges IWSs face every day are limited financial and technical resources. Many communities rely on aging infrastructure, and the cost of repairs or upgrades is often beyond their reach,” she said. “Water quality is another concern, with most schemes supplying untreated water. While communities may now have water flowing to their homes, ensuring it consistently meets Samoa’s National Drinking Water Standards remains an urgent need.”

That is where IWSA plays a vital role; providing technical guidance, connecting villages with funding opportunities, and pushing for independent schemes to be recognised as partners in national water security.

For Lesea’imalo, the award is not an end point but part of a larger journey to continuously demonstrate the strength of community-driven solutions

“It’s an encouragement for us to keep going. The award keeps us grounded because it’s not just recognition of the team, but of the communities we work alongside. It reinforces the importance of staying committed to service and reminds us that people notice and value our efforts.”

She added that the award offered a platform to echo the voices of rural communities that often go unheard in regional discussions on water security.

“Communities across the Pacific have both the capacity and the commitment to manage their own water supply systems. What they need is the right support. For example, an umbrella association that can provide technical guidance, capacity-building, and financial assistance. With this backing, grassroots efforts can be strengthened to deliver water services that are sustainable, resilient, and equitable for all.”

The recognition at the regional level also carried a deeper meaning for Lesea’imalo who has spent the last seven years at IWSA, working with communities.

“My motivation has always been to honour my mother’s legacy. She taught me the importance of service and humility, values that continue to guide me,” she said. “Being recognised with this award is humbling, it affirms that our efforts are grounded in service and respect for the people we serve,”

Looking ahead, she draws hope from the cultural shifts and increased efforts of inclusivity, she has witnessed at the village level.

“Over the years working with communities, I’ve seen senior village chiefs increasingly embrace inclusion, creating space for women and youth to have a voice in water management decisions. That willingness to adapt, while remaining true to cultural values, gives me real hope. It shows me that grassroots water management in the Pacific is not only resilient but has the potential to thrive for generations to come.”