The Problem:
Many Pacific islands have problems with water supply because more water is lost through leakage and wastage than they actually deliver.
The Solution:
With more pressure on limited resources, many Pacific islands have realised that the key towards sustainability lies not in costly infrastructure extension but in sound management of existing water supplies. This is “demand management” where strategies are developed to optimise existing water resources and infrastructure, and encourage customers to use water efficiently. Economic, environmental and social benefits are achievable with such an approach.
Pacific Water Use Efficiency
Minimising water losses in Pacific Island Water Utilities
tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation
Country
Australia
Population
20.5 mill
Land Area
7,617,930 km2
Climate
generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
Country
American Samoa
Population
57,663
Land Area
199 km2
Climate
tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation
Country
Cook Islands
Population
21,750
Land Area
236.7 km2
Climate
tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March
Country
FS Micronesia
Population
107,862
Land Area
702 km2
Climate
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
Country
Fiji
Population
918,675
Land Area
18,270 km2
Climate
tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Country
French Polynesia
Population
278,963
Land Area
3,660 km2
Climate
tropical, but moderate
Country
Guam
Population
173,456
Land Area
541.3 km2
Climate
tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation
Country
Kiribati
Population
107,817
Land Area
811 km2
Climate
tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds
Country
Marshall Islands
Population
61,815
Land Area
181.3 km2
Climate
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
Country
Nauru
Population
13,528
Land Area
21 km2
Climate
tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February)
Country
New Caledonia
Population
221,943
Land Area
18,575 km2
Climate
tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
Country
New Zealand
Population
4,1 mill
Land Area
268,021 km2
Climate
temperate with sharp regional contrasts
Country
Niue
Population
1,492
Land Area
260 km2
Climate
tropical; modified by southeast trade winds
Country
Palau
Population
20,842
Land Area
458 km2
Climate
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Country
Samoa
Population
214,265
Land Area
2,934 km2
Climate
tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October)
Country
Solomon Islands
Population
566,842
Land Area
27,540 km2
Climate
tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Country
Tokelau
Population
1,449
Land Area
10 km2
Climate
tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)
Country
Tonga
Population
116,921
Land Area
718 km2
Climate
tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
Country
Tuvalu
Population
11,992
Land Area
26 km2
Climate
tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)
Country
Vanuatu
Population
211,971
Land Area
12,200 km2
Climate
tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April
