Critical problems for fresh water supplies in Pacific

Not just the globle warming that affect the fresh water lens in these places but also the direct result of using sea water for toilet flush ie pump sea water from the sea directly to toilets and as we found out, lots of leaking pipes and overflow of badly maintained sewage pipes. This type of overseas aide was supposed to solve defecation on the beach but has created a far more serious problem--salty water lens-- this happens in the tiny atoll of Tarawa Kiribati

The problem is real but mainly on South Tarawa. There is little problem of water on most remote islands.
It appears that the study failed to highlight the main cause of the problem, in my own view and from experience, high population on S/Tarawa is a major problem that has resulted in a number of water problems. These problems were never experienced before, say in 1970s. But a population boom on S-Tarawa has resulted in the deterioration of water quality, reduction in water level, etc. Indeed, this high population has also added more problems to Climate change problems on the island because it is contributing substantially to problems such as erosions, vegetation use, water use, etc. In this regard, I suggest that the study needs to consider the significance of population growth and its impact on S/Tarawa.

In think 'Sun' from Perth is right in a way.

The increase in population on the main island is likely to be the most contributing factor. We mess around with problems but unable to tackle the root of the problem. Population growth and limited resources in cases of Small Island States quite often the main causes of a number of difficulties in the islands. It is likely to become worse if it is going to be a backlash to politics particularly to the government. How the government can successfully close entry to the main island to allivate so many social problems which are on their toil now. Diversifying developments benefits to outer islands through planning a suitable decentralisation process or scheme may assist in solving the many problems arised on South Tarawa.

Te Mauri, Te Raoi ao Te Tabemoa iaora ni bane.

Mauri TUK and all, by the way who is this TUK?
Yes, we both agree and it's true that one of the main roots to these problems is high population density on STarawa.
I am so concerned that there is little efforts ever taken by any government(s) since independence to tackle these problems. Perhaps most would argue and point to a lack of funding as the main underlying contributing factor. But I do not totally contend with this fact. The government national policies are the most effective tools crucial for any development issues that affect the nation. This means Kiribati has still a lot to do in developing its sound national policies, otherwise the country will continue to suffer. When these policies are well designed and implemented to cope and resolve with any major issues, then I am sure the degree of these problems can be minimised.
The present government's policy in supporting mass emigration will not help, it will simply worsen the situation for the fact that a brain/skills- drain is disastrous to any country's development.
Tekeraoi all!

You are all right guys,shortage of water on S/Tarawa becoming an headache and this could become a real problem in the near future. We all understand that without water everyone on this planet will disappear. Lets join together in celebrating the next world water day.

Jack, I think celebrating the next world water day WILL NOT solve the water problem on South Tarawa.

The root of the problem has to be solved, and that is the heavy population on South Tarawa. If the government is too scared of solving the problem because of its political backlash, then individuals have to encourage their unproductive and loofing relatives who stayed with them to go back to the outer islands where they can enjoy more of the space and where also they can get access to good quality water. In so doing, I think it may take the pressure off from consuming the limited water and occupying the narrow space on South Tarawa.

Yeh, when are we going to be serious in population control? As TUK mentioned, our leaders are being discouraged in doing so because of political backlash, but more so, due to the influence of wrong and misleading religious ideals. To be specific, effort to control population thru' birth has been and remains useless in the face of 'one church' strongly opposed to it. We know, that our leaders understand and know what to do, but too afraid to act because of religious and political reasons.
Apart from population problem due to continual high urban shift, by birth, Kiribati stands at very high record of population density in the region.
TE MAURI TE RAOI AO TE TABOMOA

sun, tuk and jack, all of you have the question correctly and a couple of answers. population is the problem. the outer islands all over the worlds oceans have been populated for centuries and controlled by natural pressures. when "administrations" were established in various island groups, the population pressures were eased by migration which is still going on today. if the available water can only sustain 100 people on an atoll, nature took care of it. today the excess people are sent to the district center. in the middle east they must use desalinisation to keep pace with the polulation. atolls and small island nations have only 2 choices-controll their populations or desalinate the ocean.