The acting secretary for the Cook Islands Ministry of Infrastructure, Donye Numa, says water waste and sanitation is a priority for the government.
A three year programme to improve lagoon water quality in Rarotonga and Aitutaki is now underway.
The programme, funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme, has been developed in consultation with Cook Islands Government agencies, businesses and civil society.
Donye Numa says the priority lagoons are Muri on Rarotonga, and Aituaki in the outer islands.
"It's fundamental to the sustainable development of our tourism industry without pristine environment we don't have a tourism industry, so we are thrilled this programme is finally underway."
Donye Numa says the government has agreed to commit extra resources once the aid programme fund run out.
