MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS – October 22, 2025 – H.E. President Hilda C. Heine attended the Handover Ceremony for the Improvement of Water Reservoir Project, marking the formal completion and transfer of the newly constructed 11.2-million-gallon reservoir – a vital infrastructure investment that strengthens Majuro’s water security and climate resilience.
Remarks on behalf of the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands were delivered by the Honorable Minister Gerald Zackios, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who highlighted the enduring partnership between the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Government of Japan. “They say water is life—but today, I’d say water is friendship,” Minister Zackios said. Minister Zackios noted that the project not only meets one of RMI’s most persistent needs but also reflects the nation’s commitment to sustainable development as envisioned in the National Strategic Plan and the global Agenda 2030.
The new reservoir, funded through the Government of Japan and implemented in partnership with JICA, Yachiyo Engineering, Japan Techno, and Dai Nippon Construction, increases Majuro’s total water storage capacity to 47 million gallons. This expansion now guarantees a minimum of 25 gallons of water per person per day—enough to sustain the atoll’s population for up to 80 days in the event of drought. Local contractor Pacific International Incorporated (PII) also played a key role in the successful implementation of the project, working closely with the Majuro Water and Sewer Company (MWSC).
MWSC General Manager Mr. Damian Capelle provided a detailed history of Majuro’s water system, noting that the foundation for today’s infrastructure was laid in the early 1970s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, with subsequent expansions through the decades supported by both local and international parters. In the late 1970s, additional reservoirs brought capacity to 11 million gallons, followed by two more in the early 1980s, increasing total storage to 17 million gallons.
The Government of Japan’s first major partnership in this sector began in the late 1980s, when it supported the renewal and expansion of the water system toward Laura, increasing reservoir capacities to 23 million gallons. In 1995, through the large water project that introduced new pipelines, pumping systems, and a sixth reservoir, total capacity rose to 36 million gallons. With the completion of Reservoir 7 in 2025, Majuro now has a total storage of 47 million gallons—a milestone achievement ensuring a stable and resilient water supply for the island’s growing population.
The ceremony concluded with words of gratitude and reaffirmation of partnership. On behalf of President Heine and the Government of the Marshall Islands, Minister Zackios extended heartfelt thanks to the Government and people of Japan for their enduring friendship and support.
Photo courtesy: Chewy Lin
