Dunedin firm EB Engineering Solutions recently completed the installation of a Hydrobine self-powered water turbine in the village.
''The celebration among the villagers was like nothing I have ever experienced before,'' said company representative Wayne Perkins, who oversaw the project.
''When the water reached the tank, they just went berserk with delight.
''It was just the most amazing thing I've ever had happen. Grown men were breaking down in tears, it was so important to them.
''It's not something I'll forget in a hurry.''
The turbine was developed more than 20 years ago by the late Roy Martin but shelved for various reasons.
Then, three years ago, a Hydrobine was installed on a southern farm to replace a petrol-powered water pump.
EB Engineering Solutions then undertook a comprehensive series of tests to determine the viability and reliability of the units.
The company has since been marketing the turbine around the world.
It is at present finishing a difficult installation in Papua New Guinea that is already supplying water and power to a secondary school on a remote island.
It was looking at returning to both Vanuatu and PNG to oversee more installations and had been approached about possible projects as far afield as Asia and Africa.
The company was receiving many inquiries, including from aid companies and organisations, Mr Perkins said.
There was potential for the Hydrobine to take the company ''globally in the true sense of the word'', he said.
The system was self-powered by its internal turbine and designed to work with low flow and low-pressure water supplies in even the flattest terrain.
Depending on the river flow and available fall, the Hydrobine was capable of pumping more than 20,000 litres of water a day to heights of more than 100m.
Because it was self-powered, it was ideal for remote locations.
