Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
3. TERRESTRIAL RESOURCES
A. FRESHWATER
CHAPTER III.
BACKGROUND
Foreign Office (1920) noted that few of the Phoenix Islands had any water supply. Brackish
water pools were found. Neilson (2002) reported that there was no free standing bodies of
freshwater on any of the Phoenix Islands (see also Obura and Stone 2003). All inland bodies
of water were saline.
ABARIRINGA (CANTON, KANTON)
Bryan (1934) reported that there was no freshwater on Abariringa (Canton).
Maude (1937) reported digging several wells around Abariringa (Canton). In addition, there
were a few wells already present on Abariringa (Canton). All the wells dug by Maude’s 1937
party had good and average quality water and similar in quality that found in the Gilbert
Islands.
There is no freshwater on the island (Hydrographic Office 1940; see also Bunker 1951).
There are a few old wells on the northeast rim near an old guano collection area.
McIntire (1960) reported that rainfall on Abariringa (Canton) was insufficient to build up a
good Ghyben-Herzberg lens (freshwater lens). Any lens that developed was not a dependable
source of freshwater.
Environmental Data Service (1966) reported that some rainwater can be collected, but most
drinking water must be distilled from sea water.
Guinther (1978) reported on the terrestrial surface and subsurface water on Abariringa
(Canton). All sites surveyed were to some degree saline.
Garnett (1983) reported that there was no standing freshwater on Abariringa (Canton) and
ponds were saline. There was a freshwater lens, but periods of drought result in the water
from the lens becoming almost undrinkable.
Government of Kiribati (1995) reported that in Bikentabakea, the water table was shallow,
only 30 cm deep. But at Teieta, Tebaronga and Umari villages, the depth of the well was
more than 1 m. Well water at Uamari and Tebaronga was good. Well water at Bikentabakea
had high salinity, but less that that at Terieta.
Neilson (2002) reported that the freshwater lens on Abariringa (Kanton) was less than 2 m
below the surface (see also Obura and Stone 2003). It was brackish and showed signs of
contamination.
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