Tamana island water samples found unsafe or high risk

Research conducted on the outer island of Tamana in Kiribati has revealed that 78% of water samples from public and community sources, including schools, are classified as unsafe or high risk. Of the samples taken from rainwater tanks and public wells, 52% were deemed unsafe and 26% were classified as high risk or possibly unsafe, leaving only 22% classified as safe.

The study, a collaboration between ChildFund Kiribati, UNICEF, Kiribati government agencies, and the Tamana Outer Island Council, also found that 50% of surveyed households reported at least one member experiencing a waterborne illness in the previous six months. Additionally, only 24% of households reported having sufficient water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation.

Experts suggest the crisis is a result of infrastructure failure rather than a lack of water. Much of the existing infrastructure for capturing and storing rainwater requires repair. The island's water security remains vulnerable to extreme weather and El Niño patterns, which can lead to increased salinity in groundwater or contamination from storms and seawater intrusion.