Expertise: Wastewater Treatment and Onsite Sanitation Expert
Expertise Group: Engineering
Consultant Source: International
TOR Keywords: environmental engineering, civil engineering, sanitary engineering, or a related field
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
A. Background.
The Chuuk Water Supply and Sanitation Project (CWSSP) will support the Chuuk Public Utility Corporation
(CPUC) to improve water supply and sanitation services in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia
(FSM). The project will enhance utility operations and customer management, rehabilitate and expand the
water supply and sewerage systems, reduce nonrevenue water (NRW), and increase revenues to strengthen
CPUC’s financial sustainability. In parallel, it will promote public awareness on sanitation, hygiene,
and water conservation practices to reduce disease prevalence and improve community health.
Chuuk is home to nearly half of FSM’s population, with Weno as the main urban center. The state faces
heightened vulnerability to climate change and natural hazards, including typhoons, droughts, and
extreme rainfall events. Recent disasters, such as Typhoon Maysak in 2015 and prolonged droughts between
2016 and 2019, underscore the fragility of Chuuk’s water sources and the urgent need for climate-
resilient infrastructure. Rising sea levels and changing rainfall patterns threaten both surface and
groundwater availability, intensifying the need for investment in sustainable water resource management.
Access to safe and reliable water supply in Weno remains limited. A 2020 survey found that less than 1%
of households obtained drinking water from the public system, relying instead on rainwater harvesting,
wells, or bottled water. CPUC’s existing surface water source, the Pou River system built in 1982, is in
disrepair, while most production relies on deep wells vulnerable to overuse and contamination.
Development of the Wichen River as a supplementary source has been identified but requires significant
investment. Similarly, the sewerage system commissioned in the 1970s serves only a fraction of
households, with much of the network dilapidated. In areas beyond the network, septic tanks and pit
toilets contribute to groundwater contamination and waterborne diseases such as endemic diarrhea among
children.
While CPUC has made institutional improvements since reforms initiated in 2010, water supply and
sewerage remain underperforming and reliant on cross-subsidies from electricity revenues. A key
constraint is the high level of NRW, estimated at over 50%. This stems from both physical leakages and
undocumented connections, undermining revenue collection and limiting CPUC’s ability to invest in system
expansion. CPUC recognizes that addressing NRW through improved demand management, leak detection, and
elimination of illegal connections is critical to achieving financial sustainability and extending
services to unserved households.
B. Objectives of the Assignment
The objective of this assignment is to provide specialized technical support to CPUC for the design,
procurement and management of the sewerage components of the Chuuk Water Supply and Sanitation Project
(CWSSP), including on-site sanitation systems. The expert will assist CPUC to implement measures to
optimize the operation of the Weno sewerage scheme and provide inputs for preparation and implementation
of the CWSSP, including the review of design and bidding documents.
Scope of Work
The expert will undertake the following tasks:
• Background Reading – Review past reports, feasibility study and Basis of Design report relevant to
wastewater treatment, sewerage, and onsite sanitation systems.
• On-site familiarization of the sewerage network and the proposed 5B works, primarily to validate
design assumptions and identify key technical and implementation issues.
o The existing network should be examined to understand:
-Infrastructure operations and maintenance regime
-Performance record keeping and KPI reports
-Network condition
o Proposed 5B proposals should be examined to understand:
-Lift Stations 4 & 10 capacity increases and refurbishment
-Gravity network refurbishments at Southfield and Penia
-Proposed GS3 Pumping Station and gravity network
-Additional house connections throughout the network
-Inflow and Infiltration reduction.
o Onsite Sanitation and Fecal Sludge Management
-Assess existing onsite sanitation practices (e.g. septic tanks, pit latrines).
-Provide technical recommendations on appropriate onsite sanitation and fecal sludge management options
suitable for Chuuk’s environmental and climatic conditions, currently being planned under package 10AF.
• Support preparation or review of technical standards, typical designs, and specifications for onsite
sanitation works.Familiarization with hard copy as-built plans for the sewerage network and WWTP and the
WASE Survey sewerage outputs
• Review past comments on Tender Documentation, and make necessary changes to the Tender documents in
accordance with the Employers Requirements, focusing on wastewater treatment, sewerage, and onsite
sanitation components.
• Bring the documentation to finality for the calling of bids and provide support during the bidding
process and for the bid evaluation
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
Indicative deliverables include:
- Inception Note: Work plan, mission schedule, and summary of initial technical observations and key
issues based on document review related to wastewater and sanitation works. - Technical Assessment Note: A concise technical memorandum summarizing findings from site
familiarization and document review, including:
o Observations on existing sewerage network condition and O&M practices;
o Review the proposed package 5B wastewater and sewerage works (including lift stations, gravity
networks, pumping stations, house connections, and inflow and infiltration reduction;
o Identification of key technical risks and recommendations requiring attention and potential inclusion
in the bidding documents and monitoring during implementation. - Onsite Sanitation and Fecal Sludge Management Note: a short technical note outlining existing onsite
practices, recommended technical options suitable for local conditions, and indicative standards or
specifications to guide implementation. - Procurement Support Outputs: Draft and final wastewater and sanitation-related bid documents,
responses to bidder technical queries, and technical inputs to bid evaluation reports limited to
wastewater treatment, sewerage, and onsite sanitation components. This includes sanitation aspects
considered under package 5B, as well as merging of package 5BAF with the onsite sanitation in Weno under
package 10AF and merging of package 9AF with the onsite sanitation component in Tonoas, under package
10AF. - Final Report: Consolidated summary of technical advisory support provided, key outcomes achieved, and
issues requiring follow-up during construction or implementation.
Minimum Qualification Requirements - Advanced degree in environmental engineering, civil engineering, sanitary engineering, or a related
field. - Minimum of 15 years of professional experience in contract management and administration of
infrastructure projects, including wastewater system design, treatment and management. - Demonstrated knowledge of ADB’s Procurement Policies and Regulations and multilateral development
partner practices. - Strong experience in preparation and evaluation of procurement documents for wastewater and onsite
sanitation projects. - Familiarity with sludge management, effluent standards and environmental safeguards
- Experience working in the Pacific Region or other small island developing states is highly desirable.
- Excellent mentoring and capacity-building skills.
- Strong analytical, communication, and documentation abilities.
Minimum General Experience: 15 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 15 Years
