Tonga Water

Water Source

Problems

• Following a volcano eruption and tsunami in 2022, tens of thousands of people didn't have access to clean water.
• Being an isolated island, Tonga has little access to freshwater and faces water scarcity.

• Tonga gets its water from groundwater, rainwater, a limited supply of surface freshwater, and desalinated ocean water.
• Water is overused on neighboring larger islands, so their supply is even more restricted.

TONGA

Quality of Water

Island in the South Pacific Ocean

Transport of Water

• Water quality is very poor in Tonga due to a lack of an efficient waste management system, so water gets contaminated easily.
• Following the volcano in 2022, ash contaminated a majority of the water.

• Groundwater is available through tap in more populated areas, though it is advisable to treat the water before drinking.
• Shipments of water came in during the crisis following the eruption and tsunami.

Population

With a population of 106,017 people, Tonga is a small island in Oceania that is made up almost entirely of native Tongans.

Programs Taking Action

Climate

Solutions

• Through public outreach and education Tonga is teaching people to be more mindful of their water usage.
• The WASH program (Water Sanitation and Health) was established to get people more involved in water hygeine.

• The World Health Organization and the Tongan government have worked together to improve the quality of water.
• They created the Water Safety Plan to improve water treatment and accessibilty.

Tonga has a tropical, moderate climate. It is consistently warm year-round and gets an average rainfall of 118 inches per year due to its coastal landscape.

Somewhere in here....

Tiny island...zoom again

Tonga!

Back to home

Menon, Praveen, et al. “Water Crisis Looms as Residents Tackle Debris in Tsunami-Hit Tonga.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 19 Jan. 2022, www.reuters.com/world/covid-19-concerns-force-un-prepare-tsunami-hit-tonga-relief-aid-distance-2022-01-18/#:~:text=The%20Red%20Cross%20said%20its,tens%20of%20thousands%20of%20people. Thelwell, Kim. “Improving Water Quality in Tonga.” The Borgen Project, Kim Thelwell https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg, 30 Dec. 2019, borgenproject.org/water-quality-in-tonga/.

Thelwell, Kim. “Improving Water Quality in Tonga.” The Borgen Project, Kim Thelwell https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg, 30 Dec. 2019, borgenproject.org/water-quality-in-tonga/.

Thelwell, Kim. “Improving Water Quality in Tonga.” The Borgen Project, Kim Thelwell https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg, 30 Dec. 2019, borgenproject.org/water-quality-in-tonga/.

Menon, Praveen, et al. “Water Crisis Looms as Residents Tackle Debris in Tsunami-Hit Tonga.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 19 Jan. 2022, www.reuters.com/world/covid-19-concerns-force-un-prepare-tsunami-hit-tonga-relief-aid-distance-2022-01-18/#:~:text=The%20Red%20Cross%20said%20its,tens%20of%20thousands%20of%20people. Thelwell, Kim. “Improving Water Quality in Tonga.” The Borgen Project, Kim Thelwell https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg, 30 Dec. 2019, borgenproject.org/water-quality-in-tonga/.

Menon, Praveen, et al. “Water Crisis Looms as Residents Tackle Debris in Tsunami-Hit Tonga.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 19 Jan. 2022, www.reuters.com/world/covid-19-concerns-force-un-prepare-tsunami-hit-tonga-relief-aid-distance-2022-01-18/#:~:text=The%20Red%20Cross%20said%20its,tens%20of%20thousands%20of%20people. Robinpocketguide. “Can You Drink the Water in Tonga?” Tonga Pocket Guide, 17 Oct. 2023, tongapocketguide.com/can-you-drink-the-water-in-tonga/#:~:text=Tap%20water%20is%20available%20in,have%20their%20own%20water%20system.

Thelwell, Kim. “Improving Water Quality in Tonga.” The Borgen Project, Kim Thelwell https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg, 30 Dec. 2019, borgenproject.org/water-quality-in-tonga/.