The remote island countries of Kiribati and Tonga in the Pacific rely mainly on fragile groundwater aquifers for fresh water. But as populations grow and concentrate in urban areas, groundwater sources just below the surface become highly vulnerable to pollution and salt water intrusion. Community organizers are working to change peoples' behavior to safeguard water supplies and the environment.

Keywords
Asia and the Pacific; Kiribati; Tonga; groundwater aquifers fresh water; population; overpopulation; urban population; congestion; water supply; water crisis; water urban areas; groundwater sources; water pollution; salt water intrusion; water supplies and the environment

Topic: Water

Publication Type: DVD and CD-ROM

Publication Date: December 2003