Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Maude (1937) reported that 8 wells were dug. Only 2 wells had water of fair quality, and 1
well had water fresher than many wells in the Gilbert Islands. These wells were dug at the
end of the dry season.
There were a few wells on the island, but they were brackish (Hydrographic Office 1940).
In 1978, the abandoned cistern on Nikumaroro was examined (Gilbert Islands 1978). Water
tests were positive for coliform at cistern 1. Cistern 2 required maintenance and had no
water. Various test wells were dug and an old existing well was examined. All had water
with salinity over 560 ppm. Specifications for existing cisterns and wells examined were
provided in Gilbert Islands (1978).
Garnett (1983) noted that there was no standing surface freshwater on Nikumaroro (Gardner).
The several small ponds were all brackish. There was a freshwater lens which was best
developed on the western side of the island.
Government of Kiribati (1995) noted that the water lens was shallow in some areas and more
than 2 m in other areas. Three wells were dug. The three new wells and one old well were
tested. All had drinkable water.
Neilson (2002) did not test the freshwater lens on Nikumaroro, but suggested that it was
sizable based on the profuse vegetation that was enveloping the old colony buildings (see also
Obura and Stone 2003). However, the possibility of this freshwater lens to support a human
population during dry seasons was very small.
ORONA (HULL)
Maude (1937) reported that freshwater was on the west side of Orona (Hull) where the island
is widest. Three wells there had drinkable water, but the water from these wells was not as
good as water in the Gilbert or Ellice Islands. Two other wells had water only suitable for
washing.
Bryan (1939) reported that there was good freshwater available from shallow wells on the
west side of Orona (Hull).
There are several brackish water wells on the island (Hydrographic Office 1940).
Garnett (1983) reported that there was no standing surface freshwater on Orona (Hull). There
was a freshwater lens occurred on the western side where the land was thickest. The 1963
severe drought caused this lens to become very saline.
In 1995, two wells were dug at Moantewa, one was dug at Teniko, and one at Teoti
(Government of Kiribati 1995). Well depth was 0.3 to over 2 m. Well water was drinkable.
Timeon (2001) reported that the water on Orona was quite good. Six wells were observed
during the 2001 visit.
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