The nearshore marine environment surrounding the district centers of Koror (Palau) and Kolonia (Ponape) was evaluated with respect to selected physical and bacteriological parameters. The baseline data measured in this study will serve to quantify ambient (natural background level) conditions for the expressed purpose of: A) acting as a basis of comparison against which future data may be judged; B) identifying areas of poor water quality, areas which could improve in quality given complete implementation of a fully operational wastewater collection/treatment/disposal system. In Koror, those areas immediately east and west of T-Dock and the small bay adjoining the Community Club should experience such improvements. In Kolonia, all nearshore marine areas should be positively impacted. The waters surrounding Ponapae, a high island, will continue to suffer from high turbidities during sustained rainfall events; areas of concern are those impacted by freshwater (stream) inputs.

Since the highest priority water quality monitoring program in the Micronesian trust territories is the continuous evaluation of the public water supply system (PWS), a concurrent study was performed on the distribution systems in these two district centers (limited data from the Colonia [Yap] system were included in the PWS evaluation). Numerous drinking water standard violations were measured in each system: Colonia – excessive turbidities and coliform densities accompanied by negligible free residual chlorine (FRC) levels at distribution points; Koror – turbidity and coliform violations; Kolonia – coliform violations. The systems in Colonia and Koror are operated on an intermittent basis and, as such, patrons should boil PWS water prior to culinary uses. The service in Kolonia is continuous; however, until improved chlorination practices at the water treatment plant (WTP) are effected, the boiling precaution should be mandatory until district center PWS coliform densities are consistently negligible.