Elemental Water Makers installs solar desalination systems across Tongan islands

On September 29, 2026, Australian company Bluemont Pty Ltd and Dutch technology provider Elemental Water Makers installed solar-powered desalination systems on two remote Tongan islands, Hunga and Matamaka. The project provides these communities with a reliable source of safe drinking water, combating drought and unpredictable rainfall.

Each system can produce up to 4,300 liters of WHO-standard drinking water per day, equating to a combined capacity of up to 8,600 liters for the two communities. This development aids in keeping money within the communities while improving health, sanitation, education, and everyday wellbeing. Local residents welcomed the life-changing water supply, as it was their first reliable source of clean drinking water.

To ensure local ownership, ten community members per island were trained, including at least five women from each community, alongside a Tonga Water Board representative. Designed for 15 years of service, the low-maintenance, solar-powered installations reinforce climate resilience in isolated communities without relying on fossil fuels.

Bluemont led the planning, transport, installation, and commissioning, working alongside Elemental Water Makers, Pacific Technologies New Zealand, Tonga Water Board Poate Vai O Tonga, and the communities of Hunga and Matamaka. The project received grant support through Powering Renewable Energy Opportunities (PREO). Bluemont is now exploring a potential proposal with the Tongan Government for solar desalination across a further 23 remote communities, following the success of this model in Hunga and Matamaka.