Ross Copland, Mainzeal's Sustainability Manager, through Engineers Without Borders of NZ and some key Mainzeal subcontractor workmen are greatly assisting to restore water supplies to homes on the Tsunami stricken Samoan coastline.

Having flown out to Samoa withing five days of the Tsunami occurring, Ross has seen first hand the devastation and human tragedy caused by the recent Tsunami.

Ross with the full support and sponsorship of Mainzeal Property and Construction Ltd, together with Troy and Sean sponsored by DL Good Ltd have been instrumental in spearheading the efforts to both redesign and install essential key water infrastructure and domestic supplies that were wiped out by the Tsunami.

Weekly updates are being sent back to New Zealand by Ross with vivid descriptions and photos of the challenges they have faced so far, many describing the sorties they have undertaken in the RNZAF Helicopter into the hinterland to find new water sources and to then plot routes of the new pipelines.

We all look forward to the weekly updates of what this team of volunteers have been up to.

Click Here to view the Samoa Before and After PDF

Click Here  to view the Tsunami Update 13th October PDF

SAMOA: Donations received via the HMNZS Canterbury
Source: Pacific Water and Wastes Association Press Release

Samoa received a shipment of PVC pipes, faucet tees, valves, pressure cement, couplings and other fittings carried by the HMNZS Canterbury on October 15, 2009. These supplies have been donated by Marley NZ and Hynds Ltd, NZ. These items and other donations are part of the joint efforts of the Pacific Water and Wastes Association (PWWA) and Engineers without Borders, NZ.

The CEO of Engineers without Borders, NZ and Sustainability Manager of Mainzeal Property and Construction Ltd, NZ, Ross Copland is joined by two commercial plumbers Sean Walker and Troy Rayner of DL Good Ltd, NZ. The volunteers arrived in Samoa on October 7 and will leave on October 21, 2009.

The key objective of the joint effort was to aid in the reconnection of houses to water supply as well as repairs to the water networks. These goals were attained during this visit by working in collaboration with the Samoa Water Authority to connect around 30 houses and repair 5 water mains. Engineers were also able to investigate new water sources for the tsunami affected area. A design report for the possible use of Lake Lanoto in Saleapaga was completed. The Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture also benefited from the expertise with the team assessing and repairing the sanitation system at Palalaua College in Siumu and also at the Aleipata Secondary School.

The Pacific Water & Wastes Association will continue joint efforts with its partners and sponsors to assist their water utility members in Tonga, American Samoa and Samoa. It is also hoped that PWWA will work again with Engineers without borders for future projects throughout the Pacific region

PWWA would like to thank the sponsors, Mainzeal Property and Construction Ltd and also D.L. Good Ltd and the donors of supplies, Marley NZ and Hynds Ltd, NZ for their wonderful and prompt contribution to the tsunami recovery efforts.