Building Water Security on Small Pacific Islands

In this paper, Dr. Allen states that “Across most small Pacific islands, municipal water sources are unreliable, of limited availability, and/or contaminated due to leaks and/or illegal ‘bootlegged’ connections, both of which allow untreated water to mix with treated. Water from such systems may be available for a few hours per day, a few days per week, and is commonly unpotable without further treatment. Only a fortunate few residents can expect to turn a tap in their homes and receive a flow of water ready to drink. Many in the region routinely buy bottled water for drinking and food preparation; but for many others, that luxury is not an option due to lack of funds and/or local availability of bottled water, especially on the smaller, more remote islands.”