Sanitation (Wastewater Management) Policy 2016.

This Wastewater Management Policy is a 10-year sectoral document that represents a framework path where inserting detailed actions identified through the developing strategies. The Policy aims at providing for the development of wastewater management in a way that contributes to the sustainability of the Cook Island, described by the Vision statement as follows "sustainable and economically viable, safeguarding the health of the environment and communities taking into account the effects of climate change". The wastewater treatment systems taken into account by the document refer only to (i) domestic residential homes; (ii) commercial facilities including tourist accommodation; and (iii) community and public buildings. To reach the overall goal, have been identified 2 strategic objectives (1) ensure that wastewater is managed in a manner which protects public health and the environment and has regard to the local context (use of on-site wastewater treatment systems or, where necessary, septic tank systems according to certain requirements to be met when designing and managing these systems); and (2) ensure an integrated approach to wastewater management which recognizes and clarifies public, community and individual responsibilities.
To increase the resilience of livelihoods to disasters, the Policy links the need for efficient wastewater treatment systems to the National Sustainable Development Plan 2016-2020 that calls for preserving and managing fresh water to limit the impact of climate change and the inherent limited fresh water reserves. The implementation of this Policy will be led by the Water, Waste and Sanitation Division of Infrastructure Cook Islands (WATSAN) in the first instance. Once the sanitation upgrade program is completed, the responsibility may transfer to the Ministry of Health or a subsequent authority.