Japan Hands Over Vacuum Truck to Palau Public Utilities Corporation Wastewater Operations Team

On February 28, 2024, Ms. HAGIWARA Mayu, Charge’ d’ Affaires ad interim, formally handed over a vacuum truck to Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC).  The handover ceremony for the “The Project for Procurement of Vacuum Truck to Public Utilities” was attended by Mr. Frank Kyota, Chief Executive Officer of PPUC, and other distinguished guests, marking a significant milestone as this is currently PPUC’s first and only Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) .
 
PPUC is the sole agency responsible for managing water, sewage and electric power supply in Palau. The sewage network managed by PPUC was established around 1980, and connects almost all residential and commercial areas in Koror, with a total length of about 50 kilometers. The sewage in the state is collected in main pipes and then sent to a sewage treatment plant on Malakal Island, located at the southern tip of the state, for treatment. There are a total of 43 sewage pumping facilities in each area of the state to pump sewage from the regional pipelines to the main pipeline. Vacuum trucks travel to these facilities throughout the state to periodically suction and remove solids and other substances that can cause clogging of the pumps.
 
Through this grant contract worth USD 182,800, PPUC is now equipped with a vacuum truck better equipped to maintain their day-to-day sewage operations for the betterment of the population of Palau. This will help mitigate incidents where sewage flows into roads and the sea, making it safer for overall public health and the integrity of our beloved ocean.
 
During the ceremony, Charge’ d’ Affaires, Ms. Hagiwara said, “Effective sewage treatment is essential for good public health, and I am very pleased that the PPUC is now better equipped to maintain their day-to-day sewage operations for the people of Palau.”
 
The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999 to meet development needs in grassroots activities in Palau. Since then the Embassy of Japan in Palau has signed  100 grant contracts with schools, hospitals, state governments and NGOs. For further information about GGP, please contact 488-6455 or visit the Embassy of Japan website at https://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/about_ggp.html