Marshall Islands Rainwater Harvesting

8/9/2019 Marshall Islands Rainwater Harvesting

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The Marshall Islands WaterThe Marshall Islands Water

Resources and theResources and the

Hydrogen Sulfide (Hydrogen Sulfide (HH 22S)S) testtest

Presented by:Presented by:Abraham Hick ingAbraham Hick ing -- RMIEPA Chief, WQRMIEPA Chief, WQMonitoring Lab;Monitoring Lab;

AmletAmlet KalemenKalemen-- CMI/ CRE, WQ SpecialistCMI/ CRE, WQ Specialist

Prepared for ARCSA ConferencePrepared for ARCSA Conference

Hawaii, Aug. 14Hawaii, Aug. 14 --17, 200717, 2007


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Purpose of PresentationPurpose of Presentation

Show briefly what are the main w ater resourcesShow briefly what are the main w ater resourcesfor the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).for the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).

How they are operated on atoll islands, especially at theHow they are operated on atoll islands, especially at theUrban Centers of Majuro Atoll and Ebeye on Kw ajaleinUrban Centers of Majuro Atoll and Ebeye on Kw ajalein

Atoll andAtoll and

How RMI deal w ith drought conditionsHow RMI deal w ith drought conditions

How we set up the Outer Islands Water QualityHow we set up the Outer Islands Water QualityMonitoring Program using the HMonitoring Program using the H 22S test.S test.


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BACKGROUND The islands are scattered in an archipelago consisting of two roughly parallel island chains thewestern Ralik chains (sunset) and the eastern Ratak chains (sunrise).These extend about 700 miles north to south (4-14 N Lat) and about 800 miles from east to w est

(160to 173

E Long.)

Total land area of only 70 sq.mi. The sea, on the other hand, including our Exclusive Economic zonecovers over 750,000 sq.mi.- a ratio of about 1:10,000 land to seaTotal population of about 51,000 last census (1999) of which 70% reside in Majuro and Ebeye.


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Majuro Average RainfallMajuro Average RainfallMean Monthly Rainfall (inches), Majuro Atoll: 1959 to 2001

Source: Ben Graham 2007

8

.4

6.5

8

.3

10.9

11.1

11.4 1

2.4

11.4

12.9 13.8

13.0

11.5

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec


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WATER SUPPLY SOURCESWATER SUPPLY SOURCES

LAURA LENS

AIRPORT RUNWAY

RESERVOIR

Treatment P lant C

The RMI International Airport on Majuro serves as the rainwater catchment w ith approximately 2-3 mill ion gallonscapacity.

Both rainw ater and groundwater (Laura Lens) are pumped into a 38 million gallons capacity reservoirs. This waterundergoes sand filtration and chlorination at Treatment P lant C prior to distribution.

The groundwater from Laura is one of the largest lens in the islands and its our primary source of drinking waterduring the drought.

~500 million gallons capacity


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MAJURO PUBLIC WATER RESERVOIRS

The six (6) raw water storage tanks that provide potable water for the peopleresiding at the DUD Area - total capacity of 38 mill ion gallonsOne tank is covered and contains the finished water water that has beensand-filtered and chlorinated and is ready for distribution.

Source: GIS Photo Coastal Dept. RMIEPA


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The Majuro Water Treatment Plant C

The Majuro Public Water supply is operated and managed by the Majuro Water &Sewer Company (MWSC). It delivers about 900 ,000 gallons per day.

Water undergoes sand filtration, chlorination and then stored for distribution.Water is serviced twice a week Mondays and Fridays for 6-8 hrs only.

RM IEPA is responsible for monitoring the quality of the water serviced and water used at publicplaces such as at restaurants, hotels, and apartments.


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Bacteria Quality of the Majuro PublicBacteria Quality of the Majuro Public

Water Supply 2006Water Supply 2006--0707

Source: RMIEPA W Q Lab, 2007

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

%s

afe

20062007


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Ebeye Public Water Supply is provided by three RO units a total of 150,000gpd but undergoeschlorination before distribution.Due to lack of pressurized water, i l legal tapping is a common practice among water consumers.Like Maju ro, water is rationed an hour or two a day and the problem can be exacerbated by lack ofpower on the island.

Alternate source of potable water is from Kw ajalein, Kw ajalein where the US military installationbase is located.

EBEYE PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY


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RMIRMIss Water SituationWater Situation-- DroughtDrought

Recent MI Journal News Headlines:Recent MI Journal News Headlines:

Stand By For Some Weird, Wild WeatherStand By For Some Weird, Wild Weather

(Journal December 8, 2006)(Journal December 8, 2006) ItIts Time To Pray For Rains Time To Pray For Rain

(January 12, 2007)(January 12, 2007)

Reservoir Levels Getting LowReservoir Levels Getting Low (January 19, 2007)(January 19, 2007)

RMI on Drought AlertRMI on Drought Alert

(February 23, 2007)(February 23, 2007)

Water Situation Really BadWater Situation Really Bad

(March 2, 2007)(March 2, 2007)

Source: Ben Graham, 2007


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RMI responses to DroughtRMI responses to Drought

ConditionsConditions --20072007 The National Disaster ManagementThe National Disaster Management

Task Force has to declare a State ofTask Force has to declare a State ofDisaster/Emergency in order toDisaster/Emergency in order toaccess the Emergency relief fundaccess the Emergency relief fund --Feb. 2007.Feb. 2007.

The Task Force, comprised of allThe Task Force, comprised of allGovernment Secretaries, Head ofGovernment Secretaries, Head of

Departments and the ChairDepartments and the Chair ChiefChiefSecretary, formulated theSecretary, formulated thedeclaration and approved/signed bydeclaration and approved/signed bythe Cabinet/President.the Cabinet/President.

Only Majuro and the NorthernOnly Majuro and the Northern

Islands were declared State ofIslands were declared State ofDisaster due to lack of potableDisaster due to lack of potabledrinking water.drinking water.


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Activities For Outer IslandsActivities For Outer Islands Deployment of the first available RMI government vesselDeployment of the first available RMI government vesseltoto disptachdisptach water supplies to the mostly affected atolls inwater supplies to the mostly affected atolls inthe north (3 atolls) declared as having no drinking waterthe north (3 atolls) declared as having no drinking wateron the island.on the island.

One Officer from the MWSC, RMIEPA and the InternalOne Officer from the MWSC, RMIEPA and the InternalAffairs Offices joined the crew to assist in water deliveryAffairs Offices joined the crew to assist in water deliveryand to advise people to boil water thoroughly 1and to advise people to boil water thoroughly 1--55minutes before use.minutes before use.

RMIEPA investigated groundwater that can be used forRMIEPA investigated groundwater that can be used forhuman consumptionhuman consumption test for conductivity, totaltest for conductivity, total

dissolved solids (TDS) and nitrates.dissolved solids (TDS) and nitrates. Submit data gathered to the Office of Disaster and to theSubmit data gathered to the Office of Disaster and to theTask Force.Task Force.


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Drought Condition on MajuroDrought Condition on Majuro

MWSC supplies rationed waterMWSC supplies rationed waterevery other Mondays for 2every other Mondays for 2 --

4 hours only.4 hours only. To supplement availability ofTo supplement availability of

potable water, MWSC installedpotable water, MWSC installedand operated smallerand operated smaller ReverseReverse

Osmosis (RO) UnitsOsmosis (RO) Units at threeat threemajor sites on the islandmajor sites on the island 22with 2000with 2000 gpdgpd capacity and 1capacity and 1with 6000with 6000 gpdgpd capacity.capacity.

These RO units provided theThese RO units provided theresidence of Majuro with dailyresidence of Majuro with dailypotable water during thepotable water during thedrought.drought.


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Lessons Learned/Problems encounteredLessons Learned/Problems encountered

No appropriate containers to fill or aNo appropriate containers to fill or atransport to deliver water to individualtransport to deliver water to individualhomes.homes.

People have to collect water usingPeople have to collect water using

plastic gallons or 3plastic gallons or 3--5 gallons buckets5 gallons bucketsand hand carry back to the homesand hand carry back to the homeswhich may cover several hundredswhich may cover several hundredsyards or even a mile away from theyards or even a mile away from theship.ship.

When water supplies are out, the shipWhen water supplies are out, the shipdesalination machine is used to redesalination machine is used to re--fillfillthe bladders or fill individual containersthe bladders or fill individual containers

RRee--direct the ship to visit Kwajaleindirect the ship to visit KwajaleinAtoll (a military base) to have theirAtoll (a military base) to have theirwater bladders refilled with potablewater bladders refilled with potablewaterwater


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SET OF OBJECTIVESSET OF OBJECTIVES ::

1.1. To establish an Outer Island CommunityTo establish an Outer Island Community

Based Water Quality MonitoringBased Water Quality Monitoring

Program.Program. Develop baseline data on bacterialDevelop baseline data on bacterial

quality of all drinking w ater sourcesquality of all drink ing water sourcesusing the Husing the H22S test.S test.

2.2. Train Representatives from each atollTrain Representatives from each atollon:on:

how to perform the H2S test,how to perform the H2S test, how to conduct a sanitary surveyhow to conduct a sanitary survey

on rainwater tanks and wellson rainwater tanks and wells

How to perform otherHow to perform otherenvironmental monitoringenvironmental monitoring--suchsuchas hazardous wastesas hazardous wastes

3.3. To increase the number of safe drinkingTo increase the number of safe drinkingwater sources from the current 20% towater sources from the current 20% to

about 50% by the end of the year, 2005.about 50% by the end of the year, 2005.

The Outer Islands Community-Based WQMonitoring Program using the H2S test


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Objectives (contObjectives (cont d)d)4.4. To help reduce incidences ofTo help reduce incidences of

water borne il lness in the Outerwater borne il lness in the OuterIslands.Islands.

5.5. To survey household forTo survey household for

availabili ty of toilet facilities andavailability of toilet facilities andinclude the report in the waterinclude the report in the watertesting data.testing data.

6.6. To meet or comply w ith theTo meet or comply w ith thenational, regional (SOPAC) andnational , regional (SOPAC) andinternational (MDG/ WHO)international (MDG/ WHO)strategic action plan on waterstrategic action plan on waterrelated issuesrelated issues

Health Officer and Local Councilma


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Funds for the Outer Islands WaterFunds for the Outer Islands Water

Quality Monitoring using the H2SQuality Monitoring using the H2SSourceSource WHO, RMIEPA & the CMI / CREWHO, RMIEPA & the CMI / CRE

Matching FundMatching Fund

20002000--2003:WHO/ SOPAC initiated both2003:WHO/ SOPAC initiated both

the training and the purchase of the H2Sthe training and the purchase of the H2S

test reagents and tubestest reagents and tubes

RMIEPA submitted 3 proposalsRMIEPA submitted 3 proposalsw ith an amount to be matched.w ith an amount to be matched.

First Match (2003) : $20,000First Match (2003) : $20,000

Second (2004Second (2004 --2005) : $30,0002005) : $30,000

Third Match (2006Third Match (2006--2007) : $20,0002007) : $20,000Ex. of Break down (2003)Ex. of Break down (2003)

PersonnelPersonnel 11.78%11.78%

TravelTravel 44.96%44.96%

EquipmentEquipment 4.06%4.06%

OthersOthers 39.18%39.18%

Outer Island Local Policeman

Outer Island CommunityAwareness


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Cost of tube/ vial $0.52Cost of H2S media (20ml) $0.13

Total cost for H2S $0.65

Cost of 1 Test strip 5-1 $0.21Cost of Nitrate test $0.53Chlorine Test $0.42

Total cost of tests $1.81

THE H2S Test Costs


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Preparing the H2S (strip) test

1 2 3

4

Sterilizing using UVLight

Boiling using Steamer Outer Islands.

Sampling


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Where HWhere H22S can be usedS can be used

Bottled Waters

Rainwater tanks Groundwater

Coastal watersPublic Water


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Water Supplies in The Outer IslandsThere are no surface water in the Islands, except rainwater and groundwater.No reticulated water supply system exists in the Outer Islands self rel iant on individualrainwater tanks and wells.Rainw ater tanks systems are poorly constructed and no maintenance nor ever cleaned.

The government helped the people provide potable plastic tanks (1500 gals.) but somehouses are so poorly constructed that the tanks is hardly fi lled w ith rain.


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Typical groundwater or wells in the Outer Islands. Most groundwater are also poorly constructed and are susceptible to surfacecontamination.No hand pumps available therefore people resort to using quarts or buckets tobail water out of the well.

Most wells are used for household (laundry and bath) and others used for cooking and drinking.Contamination are most ly bacterial in nature.Wells that contain >10mg/ L Nitrates (nitrogen) are identified and advised owners not to useit for human consumption, esp. pregnant mothers.


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Sharing the Test ResultsSharing the Test Results


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Training and Workshops

We carry out the training as stated in our objectives so that the islanders can performtheir own water quality monitoring using the H2S and to be able to perform other environmental

monitoring.

Where possible, we invite doctors to talk about water borne diseases and their impact on peopleshealth, especially the young and the elderly, or attend to invited speakers like Dr. Patrisha during

her visit to Majuro.

Distribute pamphlets, brochures on what RMIEPA does and how to treat water w ith bleach.

Dr. Zachraias


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Achievements

Achievements: Outer Islands Water Quality & Sanitation


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Achievements: Outer Islands Water Quality & Sanitation

RATAK CHAINRATAK CHAIN Total Tanks TestedTotal Tanks Tested PercentagePercentage Sanitation FacilitySanitation Facility

Item NoItem No Atoll/IslandAtoll/IslandTotal No.Total No.

TestedTestedTotal No.Total No.

SafeSafeTotal No.Total No.

UnsafeUnsafe % Safe% Safe%%

UnsafeUnsafeHaveHave

ToiletsToiletsNoNo

ToiletsToilets

11 Mil l iMil l i 9898 2121 77 2121 7979 3030 3131

22 MEJITMEJIT 100100 4242 58 4242 5858

33 AURAUR 136136 2525 111 1818 8282

44 LIKIEPLIKIEP 131131 4545 86 3434 6666

55 MALOELAPMALOELAP 244244 4545 199 1818 8282 4040 5959

66 AILUKAILUK 284284 207207 77 7373 2727 3434 3030

77 UTRIKUTRIK 113113 3131 82 2727 7373 2020

88 RONGRONGRONGRONG 5959 66 53 1010 9090

99 WOTJEWOTJE 2424 33 21 1313 8787

TotalTotal 11891189 425425 764 3636 6464 124124 120120

Achievements contd


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RALIK CHAIN Total Tanks tested Percentage Households visitedHave

Item No ATOLL/ISLAND Tested No. Safe No. Unsafe %Safe % Unsafe ToiletsNoToilets

1 EBON 191 26 165 14 86 20 192 NAMU 88 28 60 32 68 15 733 KILLI 108 15 93 14 864 JABOT 29 6 23 21 79 10 185 JALUIT 154 35 119 23 77 30 76 NAMDRIK 172 53 119 31 69 49 307 AILINGLAPLAP 137 31 106 23 778 UJAE 98 18 80 18 83 39 149 WOTHO 12 4 8 33 67 35 73

10 MEJATO 19 8 11 42 5611 LIB 13 4 9 31 69

Total 992 222 770 22 78 198 234


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OUTER ISLANDS H2S TESTOUTER ISLANDS H2S TEST

RESULTSRESULTS% Contamination

0

20

40

60

80

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Years

Percenta

ge(%

)

% Safe

% Unsafe


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTACKNOWLEDGEMENT We would like to thank andWe would like to thank and

acknowledge the following individualsacknowledge the following individualsand agencies/departments for theirand agencies/departments for theirsupport to get us to attend this verysupport to get us to attend this veryimportant meeting:important meeting: Dr.Dr. PatrishaPatrisha MacomberMacomber and sponsors ofand sponsors of

the ARCSA, 2007.the ARCSA, 2007.

Mrs. Diane M.Mrs. Diane M. DebrumDebrum,, CMI/CRECMI/CRE

Dr.Dr. WarmsleyWarmsley , John;, John; (HHS/OPHS)(HHS/OPHS)

Mr. John Bungitak,Mr. John Bungitak, General ManagerGeneral ManagerRMIEPARMIEPA


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Thank youThank you

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Marshall Islands Rainwater Harvesting