The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources for the first time has developed a groundwater resource policy which aims to address and strengthen the management and exploitation of groundwater resources in the country.

Permanent Secretary Lt Colonel Neumi Leweni said the policy is expected to be implemented soon and the policy will see a platform for the proper management and preservation of this valuable resource.

He said that majority of rural areas do not have water tanks to store rain water or are not accessible to Government water system in which they use well water as their only source of water.

Meanwhile Leweni is calling on the members of the public to ensure they exhaust all avenues to utilize available surface water before pursuing ground water options.

Surface water especially rainwater freely available and does not require much to collect.

Leweni said all that is needed is a roof with proper guttering and a strong tank.

Story by: Tokasa Rainima