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Amit Singh joined SOPAC as a
Water Resources Monitoring and
Assessment Officer at the Water
Resources Programme since Au-
gust 2011. Prior to this, Amit was a
lecturer for three at the Fiji National
University (FNU) teaching Environ-
mental Science and Chemistry. Amit
is a graduate of the University of the
South Pacific holding a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sci-
ence, a Postgraduate Diploma in Polymer Chemistry and a Post-
graduate Diploma in Tertiary Teaching. Amit also attended ground-
water training at the Australian Groundwater School in 2012 and
hopes to further his studies in groundwater assessment and geo-
physics whilst continuing to provide groundwater assessments and
monitoring services to Pacific Island countries.
Where you from and what was it like growing up there?
I was born in Labasa and raised in the province of Bua. I completed
my primary and secondary school there and moved to Suva for my
tertiary education. Being brought up in a rural setting has its chal-
lenges but I am happy that I stayed focussed and excelled.
What is your first memory of joining SOPAC?
Well it was a switch from tertiary teaching at FNU to SOPAC. I initially
spent most of my time reading reports on small island hydrology,
journal articles and equipment operations.
Further to this, my position required extensive travelling so I had to
overcome one of my worst fears, flying. I am proud to say that I have
conquered this fear, however, regardless of the numerous times I
have travelled; I never miss to listen and especially read the safety
instructions prior to and during every flight.
How has your work at SOPAC evolved over the years?
I joined SOPAC in 2011, with average knowledge of groundwater
resources monitoring and assessments techniques, over the years
and with guidance of our friendly staff at Water and Sanitation Pro-
gramme, I have acquired necessary skills to deliver what’s required
of my position.
Recently I have been involved in groundwater projects in Tongan
and Kiribati. Anticipate more groundwater projects to come our way
and we keep doing what we do best. We have moved on from pre-
dominantly assessment and monitoring to modelling water resourc-
es and it’s very exciting to be part of the robust team.
Apart from these I’m glad I was given an opportunity to be attached
at University of Leicester, and write a paper on water resources as-
sessments in remote atoll environment, it has been accepted and
will be published in CWEEE journal. Recently, I under took Post trop-
ical cyclone Ian Water Resources Assessment in Lifuka, Ha’apai,
Kingdom of Tonga. So yes our work ranges from normal project
deliverables to emergency response, whether it is post cyclone or
drought.
Something I wish we could venture in future is like Deep Sea Min-
erals project – to develop/review policies, providing assistance in
terms of assessments to member countries on groundwater “min-
ing” especially for bottling and generating revenue – Groundwater
for Economic Development.
What do you wish other people knew about your work or
project(s)?
Access to clean and safe drinking water is a challenge in small is-
land states. My position focus to provide technical support in the
projects, through field data acquisition, analysis, capacity building
with country counterparts and ensuring our equipment are in perfect
condition.
We at Water Resource Assessment aim to provide access to clean
and safe drinking water in our member countries. We strive to pro-
vide options for safe drinking water whether it be through rainwater
harvesting or exploring options to develop groundwater. Our work
is demanding and requires us to travel to remote areas, live with
the community and experience firsthand the challenges they face
in everyday life.
Through our field surveys we try to understand the dynamics and
development of freshwater lens in small atoll island environments,
its vulnerability to rising population, mounting pressure to extract
these resources and salt water intrusion. We also look at options
to safe drinking water, where there is no or very little potential for
groundwater, these may be assessing roofs for rainwater harvest-
ing, economics for running a desalination plant etc.
My position requires office work as well as fieldwork, I prefer field-
work. However, fieldwork doesn’t provide all luxury, often drinking
water, food is problem especially when you are out in islets.
What are some of the things you do when you are not work-
ing at SOPAC?
Normally, during the weekends, I go out for swimming and I just love
watching Discovery, Geographic channels and international news
such as BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera.
Any advice to our younger readers?
Well, I would like to advise my aged readers is to be confident in
yourself and always accept challenges, stay focussed and strive
for excellence.
January - March 2014
For more information visit our Website: www.sopac.org
Mead Road, Nabua, Suva, Fiji Islands. Phone: +679 338 1377 Fax: +679 337 0040 E-mail: [email protected]
Special article contributions from the IWRM National Project Managers:
Pisi Selagniu (Tuvalu) and Governor Victoria Kanai (Palau)
SOPAC Newsletter Team
Contributors: Annie Siose, Clare White, Emma Newland,
Molly Powers, Sachindra Singh, Sean Hobbs
Compiler/Editor: Lore Ratuyawa
Graphic Artist: Navneet Lal
STAFF PROFILES
Amit Singh
Water Resources Monitoring and Assessment Technical Officer