Ground, Surface, and Coastal Water Quality

Impact studies

Research that leads to a better understanding of or the possible solution to problems caused by the impact of mans activities or natural processes on FSM's freshwater quality such as:

• Research to identify the impact of population growth, agricultural activities and road construction on upland erosion on high islands. Of particular interest are sites surrounding new road construction on Kosrae Island and in the Nanepil watershed on Pohnpei Island
• Research to identify the impact of burial practices, pit toilets, and piggeries on surface and ground water resources of high and low islands
• Research to identify the impacts of climate variability and related health affects associated with water borne diseases

Baseline studies

Research that leads to a better understanding of existing levels of contaminants to serve as a basis to judge the effects of mans future activities on the quality of FSM's freshwater resources such as:

• Baseline studies of the quality of raw water sources to determine treatment requirements to make these supplies acceptable for human consumption
• Baseline studies on biological and chemical contamination of rooftop rainwater catchment and small community water supply systems

• Research aimed at the development of water quality standards that are applicable to FSM's ground and surface water resources to include:
• Review of all previous baseline water quality investigations
• Evaluate whether there is adequate data available to set appropriate water quality standards
• Gather new baseline water quality data that reflects todays conditions
• Determine which parameters should be monitored and what action levels should be adopted
• Baseline studies to determine sediment production in pristine watersheds on Pohnpei Island
• Baseline studies to determine streamflow variability, rainfall runoff characteristics, and sediment production in the Nanepil River, Pohnpei Island's most important supply of surface water for drinking

Modeling Studies

Research aimed at developing means of predicting the fate and transport of containments in FSM's freshwater systems such as:

• Research directed toward the development of an accurate and practical saltwater intrusion and groundwater evaluation model(s) for low islands in Chuuk and Yap State
• Research to determine the connection between rainfall variability and sediment production in the Nanepil River, Pohnpei Island's most important supply of surface water for drinking

Regulatory/Management Studies

Research to investigate the need for new regulations and the effectiveness of existing regulations that deal with FSM's freshwater quality issues such as:

• Evaluate water rights and land ownership issues that are serving as stumbling blocks to adequate drinking water supply development throughout FSM
• Develop methodologies for carrying out water quality safety plans for watersheds. Might use WHO source to tap water safety procedures as a guideline
• Activities directed at the Development of a community based watershed management programs to improve water quality of community water systems in Pohnpei State

• Research aimed at the development of water quality standards that are applicable to FSM's ground and surface water resources to include:
• Review of all previous baseline water quality investigations
• Gather new baseline water quality data that reflects today's conditions
• Determine which parameters should be monitored and what action levels should be adopted
• Review recommendation made in WERI Technical Report #16 "Future Water Quality Monitoring Priorities for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands" and determine if these recommendations are still applicable and if any are being followed today.

Development of or Application of New Technologies to Water Quality Issues

Studies to investigate the development of or application of new technologies to improve water quality such as:

• Undertake innovative technology research for sewage disposal and ocean outfalls
• Undertake a solar-energized desalinization pilot study on a selected low island in FSM
• Undertake a pilot study designed to improve local village water systems on Pohnpei Island
• Research designed to explore the use of aerobic septic tank processes to improve leachate quality and possibly improve sewage treatment plant outflows
• Research designed to evaluate the applicability of relatively inexpensive sulphite production based test for bacterial contamination developed by WHO for use on rain water catchment systems in all FSM States

Water Quantity Projects

Research aimed at gaining a better understanding of the availability, deliverability and sustainability of FSM's surface water, groundwater and rainwater resources such as:

• Research to determine streamflow variability, rainfall runoff characteristics, and sediment production in the Nanepil River, Pohnpei Island's most important supply of surface water for drinking.
• Research that will apply the existing pipe system model of the Weno water system to determine the required source water, system capacity, storage, and system operation to provide 24-hour water service to consumers.
• Research aimed at identifying means of extending public water supplies to the rural communities of Yap Sate
• Research directed toward the development of an accurate and practical groundwater evaluation model for the low islands in Chuuk and Yap State
• Initiate a broad-based groundwater inventory study of the high islands of FSM
• Research designed to develop a means of broad based groundwater assessment for low islands in the FSM using simple GIS based modeling techniques.
• Research leading to a better understanding of the occurrence and use of groundwater in the high karst islands of Yap state.
• Research designed to study the effects of long-term climate change on the water supplies of the islands in the FSM.
• Research designed to investigate the use of airport runway surfaces on atoll islands for rain catchment
• Research designed to develop improved rainfall distribution maps for the high islands in FSM
• Research designed to investigate the use of individual or small community solar desalinization to provide alternative sources of freshwater especially during El-Nino drought conditions
• Research designed to evaluate the affects of newly constructed PUC wells on groundwater levels and surface water availability on Pohnpei Island
• Review of existing FSM regulations concerning surface and groundwater rights and make recommendations as to the adequacy of existing legislation and need for future legislation.

Education and Professional Training

Projects that lead to the public's better understanding of water resources issues to include water resources training courses and workshops for k-12 students and teachers, the general public and island water resource managers and decision makers such as:

• Using the baseline data developed under the water quality issues and in conjunction with US EPA and or other international agencies, develop a national certification program for state and utility operated water analysis laboratory facilities to assure the appropriateness and accuracy of test results generated by existing and new laboratories in FSM. Consideration should be given to:
• What test should be made to assure safe drinking water
• How and when these tests would be required
• The kind of facilities and equipment required for an adequate laboratory
• The required level of training of those managing a laboratory facility and performing the sampling and testing procedures to be sure that they know not only how to do the tests and also the significance of the test results
• Evaluation of what kinds of training would be required to meet the goals of the certification program
• Teacher training on island water resources topics in cooperation with College of Micronesia and FSM and State Department of Educations. This training should be timed to coincide with training programs sponsored by the FSM and State Departments of Education.
• Evaluation of the overall affects of all water resources related training that has been accomplished in the FSM and development of a training needs assessment
• Assemble and keep an updated listing of WERI's technical assistance capabilities in water resources.
• Long term training (6 month or longer) for water and sewer system operators
• Training in GIS applications in soil erosion and watershed management
• Water quality analysis training for Pohnpei and Kosrae State to include an evaluation and recommendations for Kosrae's newly developed water quality analysis laboratory facility
• Training in leak detection procedures applicable for use on small island water systems
• Make training manuals used in various training activities available to all interested parties
• Develop educational materials for schools and the general public on various aspects of waste disposal in the FSM

All training programs should be followed with an assessment of what actions and or additional training might be required of local agencies in order to continue improvements to the water supply systems