You have entered the website of the Water and Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific (WERI) at the University of Guam. We are currently six faculty and five staff and our mission is to seek solutions through research, teaching and outreach programs, to issues and problems associated with the location, production, distribution and management of freshwater resources in Guam, the CNMI and the FSM.
No abstract was published. A summary of the Introduction and Results follows.
Most of Truk State is not served by a central water supply and sewer system, but rather utilizes traditional methods of obtaining potable water (e.g., streams, springs, rainwater catchment, shallow wells, etc.) and disposing of wastewater (e.g., dumping onto the ground), as well as toilet facilities (e.g., outhouses, or "henjos", and water-sealed toilets).
Traditional methods of water supply often fall short on quantity and quality. The result is an inconvenience for the local people compounded by increased consumption of water of low quality. During 1982, a cholera epidemic swept Truk State, emphasizing the need for safe, potable water supplies. As a result, funds became available from the U.S.A to assist with the following projects:
This report describes portions of the third project, construction of approximately 25 shallow wells powered by photovoltaic cells. The wells are designed to operate during peak daylight hours (9 am to 3 pm, approximately). The only maintenance required is rinsing the surface of the solar panels.
Twenty wells were installed and, as of the writing of this report, were functioning according to design specifications. Over 100 wells are planned for Truk. Serious consideration should be given to other islands based on the success of this project, following a groundwater assessment, of course. Everything considered, the most important factor contributing to the longevity of a solar-powered system may be the need and interest of the village. The simplest malfunction can lead to abandonment of the system if there is a lack of interest. More information is available in WERI Technical Report No. 39 by Winter et al., 1983.
