United Nations Development Programme (Marshall Islands)
CASE STUDY
Drinking Water Storage
280 flat packed water tanks deliver safe drinking water to the remote Marshall Islands
Safe drinking water is a precious and scarce resource in the stunning Marshall Islands, where climate change projections were painting a grim picture for the 41,000 residents.
Identifying the probability of more frequent and extreme droughts on the 24 atolls and islands, nestled halfway between Australia and Hawaii, the United Nations stepped in to take adaptive actions to climate change.
In 2021 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the Addressing
Climate Vulnerability in the Water Sector (ACWA) project, investing over $24 million into the project and marking their largest contribution in the Northern Pacific Region funded by Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Government of RMI.
A Technical Design Survey was undertaken in 115 communities across 24 neighbouring atolls and islands in the Marshall Islands and a seven-year project to install over 200 rainwater storage tanks began, led by Project Manager Koji Kumamaru.
With drought a common occurrence in the islands, the rainwater harvesting tanks would capture precious water during the rainy season, providing a year-round supply to address both baseline and climate-induced drought in 115 Marshallese communities.
Koji said the extensive project would also include the rehabilitation of groundwater wells on the islands in order to augment water availability for secondary use and also supporting the strengthening of water governance through the development of the National Drought Contingency Plan, SOP, Water Safety Plan and community-based Water Committees.
“This is a very exciting project which has the strong leadership and full support of the Marshall Islands Government, traditional leaders and therefore the local communities. Water tanks that are reliable and provide safe drinking water are hugely valuable to these remote communities, who are showing their full support for the project.”
The rainwater harvesting required tanks that could be easily transported to the Marshall Islands on ships and then transferred to smaller vessels that could dock on the shore.
The tanks also needed to be simple for unskilled workers to unpack, install and maintain. Finally, they needed to have a life expectancy of at least 25 years in the harsh outdoor conditions of the islands – especially crucial when shipping to remote locations with limited infrastructure.
In 2022, KlipTank won the tender to supply up to 280 flatpack modular water storage tanks to the Marshall Islands under the ACWA project and are proud to support the United Nations in this important project.
Koji said KlipTank stood out as they offered a solution that was easy to install and maintain and would stand up to the harsh elements in the islands.
Over three years, KlipTank will deliver over 200 flatpack modular water storage tanks, varying in size from 34,000 to 56,000 litres.
“KlipTank offered the best solution for our needs, with tanks that were easily transportable, simple to install and most importantly durable. They also offered a range of sizes to suit each location.”
The KlipTank team, equipped with in-house engineering excellence in CAD design, metal fabrication, and plastic fabrication, can adapt tanks to suit diverse needs.
This partnership enables KlipTank to play a key role in providing safe drinking water to 2,606 households and 160 community facilities across the islands.
By December 2023, 112 tanks had been delivered to Majuro, 20 had been installed in Kwajalein and Namu atolls, and production for the second order of 86 tanks was about to start at their Tauranga factory. Final production of the last shipment was set to begin in 2024.
KlipTank has sent a staff member to the Marshall Islands, who trained project staff and Government technicians on how to install the tanks. These staff are in turn teaching community volunteer workers how to install the tanks in their villages.
“The KlipTank team in New Zealand has been great to work with, creating a detailed easy-to-use handbook on the installation of the tanks and Duheine is always available to answer any questions via email or zoom.”
“This is an ongoing partnership with KlipTank and the project team. It was important to us to partner with a company that offered quality products, appropriate training and ongoing support for our people on the ground. We have found that in KlipTank.”
KOJI KUMAMARU
Project Manager
Marshall Islands
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Meet the team
Kim HendersonDirector
Kim co-founded KlipTank in 2009 and become owner in 2021, after returning to New Zealand from the United States.
For 26 years overseas, Kim worked in the oil and gas industry across the Middle East and US.
His forte is starting greenfield units, which he did for his own flexible hydraulic hose business in the Middle East, Turkey, Singapore, the United States, Oman and China. His grown-up children still reside in the United States.
Kim returned to New Zealand to be closer to extended family and is now involved in the day to day running of KlipTank, with big plans for the expansion of the business.
From KlipTank’s home in Tauranga, he is now looking forward to guiding the company’s growth in the area of water security and providing water storage solutions for fire safety, potable water, horticulture and waste-water.
A redesign of KlipTanks products and manufacturing processes since 2021 has also allowed for flat packing of the tanks into containers for export.
He is extremely proud of what the hardworking KlipTank team has achieved and is looking forward to recruiting more great people.
Outside of work he has a passion for motorcycles, boats, and muscle cars and is a firm believer that the correct number of toys you should own, is one more than you have.
Ruan MeyerGeneral Manager
Ruan and his family moved to New Zealand from South Africa 5 years ago, bringing with him extensive experience in mechanical engineering and a proven track record in completing projects on time and within budget.
He is currently the General Manager at KlipTank, recently promoted from being Operations Manager where he still manages the day-to-day operations of KlipTank and leads the team. He is focussed on seeing projects through to completion and working in unison to achieve KlipTank’s short and long-term goals.
Ruan started his career as a Fitter & Turner tradesperson at a power station in South Africa before studying for a national diploma in mechanical engineering.
He then moved to Malvern Engineering Works in Johannesburg as an estimator and project co-ordinator, and later worked as production manager, manufacturing mine process equipment. He then became project and maintenance manager for Mertech Marine in Cape Town, a company which manages ships that retrieve redundant telecommunications cables & equipment from the seabed and mechanically disassemble & recycle the materials.
Since moving to New Zealand, he’s worked for HCD flow conveying, Baytext as Aluminium WS Engineering Supervisor, PFS as PE doing ASME pressure vessel and piping projects and Fabworx engineering PM including leading the Structural project to install 80 tonnes of steel at the new Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa in Rotorua.
Ruan is a family man with two children and enjoys weekends on the beach, in the backyard and biking or walking local trails. He has found a great network of other ‘Saffas’ in the Bay, including close friends who have become like Kiwi family.
Ian JamiesonSales Manager
Ian Jamieson joined KlipTank 10 years ago, bringing with him an extensive sales and business background in the IT and mechanical engineering industries. He has owned his own businesses in both fields and has an extensive formal education in engineering, including a degree in process engineering.
Ian’s wide ranging, technical skill set lends itself well to KlipTank’s philosophy of solving problems for its customers and being solutions-focussed.
He particularly likes working with New Zealand’s vital dairy industry and has found farmers to be excellent businesspeople who display incredible resilience.
He enjoys building strong relationships with his customers and getting to know their businesses – including their storage requirements – which are often planned years in advance.
He also has a Farm Dairy Effluent Design & Management Certificate from Massey University, allowing him to assist farmers with dairy effluent system design and storage calculations for consent purposes.
Outside the office, Ian is a self-confessed motorsport nut – coming from a long line of engineers with petrol in their veins. He enjoys motorsport engineering, riding his vintage motorbike and motocross. He also plays music, loves to travel and enjoys a good wine - particularly French.