Freshwater Resources
Beth
|
09 Aug 2011
A number of programs are currently being implemented in the country, including an urban component which involves hydrological investigation of urban Honiara water sources for subsequent development. The Rural Water Supply Programme complements other programs that are focused on urban areas.
Freshwater resource availability varies widely between different inhabited landforms in the country. The large, high islands have significant river systems providing large volumes of freshwater, but smaller...
Beth
|
03 Aug 2011
Papua New Guinea (PNG) has a Water Resources Act.
More than 200 low-lying islands and coral atolls throughout PNG support small human settlements. These communities rely on ground water lenses for their supply of fresh water, both for human consumption and for gardening. These lenses are likely to be affected by salt-water intrusion because of rising sea levels and leakage during storm surges, thus causing a shortage of fresh water. Since fresh water fish diversity is relatively poor,...
Beth
|
02 Aug 2011
Palau has extensive water resources and has achieved virtually universal access to improved water. With 150 inches of rain per year, the high island of Babeldaob has an extensive network of rivers and streams with a combined discharge of 500 million gallons daily. Groundwater resources can also be found at depths of 40 to 100 feet below lowlands. Although exploratory drilling in the mid 1980’s in the Ngerikiil basin indicated that groundwater to be viable source of potable water, it is...
Beth
|
02 Aug 2011
Niue has a Water Resources Act (1996) and a Water Resource Bill in effect.
There is no surface water on Niue. Maintaining a sufficient, high quality water supply is always a key concern for Niue. It is a fundamental resource for human survival and economic development. Water resource management poses a serious sustainable development challenge for Niue. Water supply comes from underground sources and rain catchments. Rainfall infiltrates the porous coral until it reaches the saline water that...
Beth
|
01 Aug 2011
The only significant permanent freshwater resource in Nauru is groundwater in the form of a "lens" of often slightly brackish freshwater, hydrostatically "floating" on higher-density saltwater beneath it. The height of the freshwater lens above sea level and the level of salinity vary in relation to the elevation, geology, texture and shape of each island, and with the amount of water use and rainfall. Unfortunately there is evidence of both biological and chemical...
