Integrated Management of Urban Water Supply and Water Quality in Developing Pacific Island Countries

Abstract

Urban areas in Pacific island countries (PICs) use varied sources of water and have very diverse water supply challenges. They share, however, common, concerns particularly over the adequacy and continuity of supply, water quality, sustainability of supply systems, protection of water sources, control of increasing demand, and reduction of water losses. The issues are complex and are not generally amenable to simple solutions. While some urban water problems in PICs are similar to those in developing countries elsewhere, others are unique to the Pacific. These require an understanding of the geographic, climatic, hydrologic, social, cultural, and economic contexts. A central premise here is that improvements in water supply and quality in urban centres in PICs require robust but locally appropriate institutions and enhanced capacities while maintaining or improving the integrity of water sources and dependent ecosystems.