19 Dec 2016

Cooks undertaking major sanitation improvements

From , 6:02 am on 19 December 2016

The Cook Islands Government has outlined an ambitious sanitation project to improve water quality in both Rarotonga and Aitutaki lagoons.

The Financial Secretary Garth Henderson, says the project over a ten year period could cost in the region of $US50 million dollars, but it is urgently needed to address water quality issues in the lagoons of both islands.
 
The latest moves come after several years of work to improve sanitation systems on some parts of the main island.

Don Wiseman spoke with our correspondent in Rarotonga, Florence Syme-Buchanan and began by asking her what has been achieved so far.

Dark patches of algae spreading in Muri lagoon.

Dark patches of algae spreading in Muri lagoon. Photo: RNZI/Varo Media