Madang’s Provincial Administrator Danny Aloi says discussions are underway for a solution on the water issues faced by Manam islanders.
He told Loop News that disaster officials are in talks with a group for a distillation machine that can be taken over to Manam and used to convert salt water into drinkable water.
“Discussions started on Friday and we hope to conclude this by Monday so we can solve this issue,” Aloi says.
Manam islanders started facing water issues when the volcano erupted late last month.
Aloi says in the meantime villagers have been asked to use local knowledge to get fresh water .
Islanders have been getting water from their dug out well but this is only when the sea tide is low.
This is because water is fresh. When the tide is high, water becomes salty.
Baliau village councillor Michael Rupinae says most of them have been boiling water for consumption.