Pacific Island nations such as Kiribati are being urged to adopt immediate and robust water security strategies as rising sea levels place increasing stress on fragile freshwater supplies.
Researchers from Australia’s Flinders University have called for a reassessment of water resource management, warning that traditional bore-field systems are at risk of contamination from saltwater intrusion. These underground freshwater lenses, often the sole source of drinking water on atoll nations, are becoming increasingly vulnerable due to climate change and population pressures.
“We are at a critical point where island nations like Kiribati must adopt more rigorous assessments of groundwater quality and flow,” said Dr Margaret Shanafield, lead hydrologist from Flinders University, in an interview with Mirage News.
The research team is recommending the deployment of advanced hydrological monitoring systems, including non-invasive imaging tools and real-time data collection. These systems would allow Pacific Island nations to map and manage bore-fields proactively, ensuring that timely interventions can be made before contamination becomes irreversible.
Flinders’ work is supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), which funds scientific innovations in developing nations.
“Water scarcity is not just a health or environmental issue,” said Vaine Teatua, a Tarawa-based hydrology consultant. “It has huge implications for economic activity, particularly agriculture and tourism, and ultimately national stability.”
Development agencies such as the Pacific Community (SPC) and the World Bank are also exploring funding avenues for long-term water resilience initiatives. The Flinders team is expected to present its findings at the upcoming Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA) forum.
“This is not a future problem,” Dr Shanafield added. “It’s happening now, and we must act while there’s still a chance to protect freshwater sources.”
