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.
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.
This preamble is a synopsis of the material contained in the Tonga Water Supply Master Plan Executive Summary Report.
Access to safe drinking water is a basic need and is one of the most important contributors to public health and to the economic health of communities. Pacific island countries have yet to overcome the challenge of providing a safe and adequate supply of drinking water to its populations. Infectious, waterborne diseases, such as Typhoid and Cholera and newly emerging pathogens are a major cause of morbidity and mortality within the Pacific region.
This report describes a drilling program, undertaken over two visits in late 1996 and April-May
1997 at and near Mataki’eua on the island of Tongatapu. The purpose of the program was to
install seven water salinity monitoring holes, one production hole and provide training to drillers at
the Ministry of Works.
Funded by the European Union (UN) Disaster Risk Reduction Project in Eight Pacific
ACP States (B-Envelope) and implemented by the Applied Geosciences and
Technology (SOPAC) Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), this
project is worked closely with Tonga’s Ministry of Lands, Environment, Climate Change
and Natural Resources (MLECCNR) to of 6 new investigative and Salinity Monitoring
Bores (SMB's) across Tongatapu which is outlined in this report. These new
An analysis is made of the groundwater resources of Tongatapu Island. The Ghyben-Herzberg approximation is used to estimate thicknesses of a fresh-water lens floating on seawater. Finite-difference calculations are used to estimate rainfall recharge rates, and calculations are made to investigate the dispersion of chloride ions across the fresh-water-sale-water interface. These calculations suggest that artificial recharge might be useful devise to control chloride concentrations in the fresh-water aquifier.
This report acts as a background paper on the current status of wastewater and sanitation in Tonga.
It was based on an independent review of available literature and stakeholder consultations
conducted from 4 – 8 August (refer to annex 1 for agencies/representatives consulted).
Groundwater availability in relation to water demands in Tongatapu.
The mission specifically focused on the issue of sustained available water resources for
the water supply of Nuku’alofa and the consequences of using scarce groundwater
resources for irrigation of crops.
The mission has built on research of the Government of Tonga often supported by the
South Pacific Commission (SPC), ADB, EU and bilateral donors.