Statement of Critical Regional Water ProblemsKosrae State residents are served by several independent municipal water systems. All of these systems currently use untreated, unfiltered surface waters. Contamination of these surface water sources is a frequent problem due to sedimentation during periods of heavy rain and bacterial contamination from animal waste (i.e. E. coli and leptospirosis). It is strongly suspected by the medical community that many health problems experienced by Kosrae residents can be traced, at least in part, to the poor quality of the water provided by the public water system. Nonetheless, repeated attempts to pursue projects to improve the water quality to potable standards (e.g. construction of a modern water filtration plant) have failed because of a widespread public perception that improved water quality is not worth the cost.
This demonstration project will help break down the public barriers against water quality improvement programs and build public confidence in the need for water system improvements. The project will provide evidence of the scope of contamination of Kosrae’s untreated water supply and also determine the potential for a modern maintenance program to reduce wasted water and thereby minimize the increased cost of providing public water with a treatment/filtration system. The interim results of the study will be used to educate the public about the importance of safe water and the necessity for routine maintenance of water systems.
This demonstration project is designed to reduce wasted water through a combination of improved maintenance and public education. In this regard, it will prepare the systems and the people served by those systems to move toward improved water systems with potable water supplied to all homes within the system. The metering program will provide concrete data regarding the present water use and the effect of improved maintenance on that level of use. This information will be critical in planning for future improvements to the water systems.
The laboratory component of the project is designed to assess the current quality of the water on Kosrae on a biweekly basis. Although Kosrae formerly had some water-testing capabilities, because of government work force cutbacks, that program ceased to exist several years ago. This project will provide information that will be used to educate the public about the quality of local water and the necessity to provide potable water for Kosraeans. This part of the project will also provide hands-on laboratory experience for Kosraean High School students working with the Principal Investigator and Research Assistants. In this way, Kosraean High School students may be spurred to aspire to higher education.
Nature, Scope, and Objectives of the Research: The major objectives of this study are to determine the effect of improved maintenance on the municipal water systems and to educate the public about the need for clean, safe water. Specific objectives are:
Methods, Procedures and Facilities:
Determining current water use
Current water use will be determined by metering the current systems at the supply source or at pumping stations as determined appropriate by the Principal Investigator.
Improved maintenance of water systems
The Principal Investigator will conduct workshops for the personnel responsible for maintenance of the water systems. Replacement parts will be purchased using matching funds from the grant as needed to reduce leaks.
Determining water use after improved maintenance
Water use will be determined by metering after maintenance is improved.
Determining the quality of water currently available
Samples will be collected from the water system on a biweekly basis. Those samples will be analyzed based upon standards adopted by WHO or the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act in the discretion of the Principal Investigator. Laboratory space exists in the Kosrae Hospital (the location of the former water testing lab). Any necessary supplies will be purchased with grant funds. Individuals will be able to have their home water tested upon request. All results of public water tests will be made available to the public.
Educating the public about safe drinking waterUsing educational materials already available and the results of local research, the Research Assistants will develop and implement an educational program to inform the public of the importance of having safe drinking water and properly maintaining the system.