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A presentation by Mr Taaniela Kula - from the "Groundwater Governance: a Global Framework for Action"

An evaluation of water and sanitation in The Kingdom of Tonga, July 2011

The National Water, Sanitation and Climate Outlook for TOnga identifies the Government's and other stakeholder's priorities to address driving forces of change in these key areas. It is one of many steps required to guide the development and security of a safe water supply and sanitation facilities for the future of Tonga, and will ensure that efforts are focused on supporting sustainable development of water resources for all Tongans.

The study was a remarkably productive and enriching experience for all who were involved. It became a forum for critical reflections and analysis. It also built a knowledge and understanding amongst different communities, villages and the survey team.

This report, one of a series of reports from the Tonga Water Supply Master Plan Study, presents the findings of a recent water resources study of the islands in the Kingdom of Tonga. It summarises previous work, documents recent and current investigations and recommends further investigations to gain a better understanding of the water resources. It also outlines details of a proposed national monitoring and protection programme and makes recommendations about legislation for water resource management and protection.

The following study by Mr Furness is his summation of these labours of three years. It is a valuable document for future water management in Tonga and testimony to his professional dedication and his commitment to the Tongan people.

Project implementation of Pacific HYCOS activities in Tonga had been delayed since Oct
2008 due to difficulties within MLSNR to obtain operational budget and support for proposed
monitoring activities. It had been proposed that MLSNR undertake the regular joint
monitoring activities proposed for Mataki’eua and develop water resource analysis and
reporting skills as well as make improvements to the existing database including inclusion of
paper records and review identified anomalies as well as backup to Tideda.

This report describes the drilling program undertaken during November and December 1997 in the
Pangai – Hihifo and Koulo areas on the island of Lifuka. The purpose of the program was to:
* install seven water salinity monitoring boreholes;
* provide additional training for the Ministry of Works (MOW) drilling crew in the methods used in
the installation of the monitoring system used in this program; and
* instruct the local Tonga Water Board (TWB) staff in monitoring procedures.

Most of the 3000 inhabitants of Lifuka live in four contiguous
villages and have been supplied with water from a well in the middle
of the island since 1976. On commencement of operation, the water
rapidly became too salty for human consumption. The majority of the
island is low-lying and consists of highly porous, uplifted coral
limestone. Hydrogeological assessment found the fresh-water lens to be
very thin and strongly influenced by tidal mixing, sea level changes and
drought. Comparison with the morphology of Bermuda led a search for

e conuence of climate change and seismic events has created signicant environmental problems in
Lifuka, an island of 2,400 people (2011 Census) in Tonga’s Ha’apai Group. e subregion experienced an
earthquake on 3 May 2006 that measured approximately 7.9 on the Richter scale. It resulted in subsidence
of 23 cm of Lifuka Island, eectively creating instant sea-level rise. Erosion had already been already been a
problem on Lifuka for some decades; in the past 40 years, Lifuka has experienced signicant coastal erosion

The Australian Government’s Pacific Adaptation Strategy Assistance Program (PASAP) aims to assist the
development of evidence-based adaptation strategies to inform robust long-term national planning and
decision-making in partner countries. The primary objective of PASAP is: ‘to enhance the capacity of partner
countries to assess key vulnerabilities and risks, formulate adaptation strategies and plans and mainstream
adaptation into decision making’ (PASAP, 2011). A major output of PASAP is: ‘country-led vulnerability

In December 1998, Phase Two of the groundwater pollution study in Tonga was completed. This
Report summarises the activities undertaken to complete the study and presents the outcomes. The
Report relates to the conclusion of field studies commenced in June 1997 that were not completed at
that time due to lack of funds. Field studies, laboratory work and preparation of the results for this
completion of the Phase Two were conducted between August and December 1998

Water is essential to sustain human life. It plays a vital role in many human
activities, including industrial production, agriculture, energy, sanitation, and transportation,
in addition to sustaining ecosystems that provide valuable services to both environment and
human. Although water seems to be abundant on the planet, 97% of the Earth’s water is
seawater, making it unfit for most human uses. Of the remaining 3%, 87% is inaccessible,
either locked in polar icecaps or in deep underground aquifers. Thus, only 0.4% of all of the

Active participation from people is key to the success
of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).
The purpose of these guidelines is to support
government departments and organisations in
mobilising people towards IWRM.