GEOSCIENCE DIVISION
Map Cook Islands Federated Sates of Micronesia Fiji Kiribati Nauru Niue Papua New Guinea Republic of Marshall Islands Republic of Palau Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu
Country
Population
Land Area
Climate
Water resource
Water consumption
Country Cook Islands Cook Islands
Population 21,750 (July 2007 est.)
Land Area 236.7 km2
Climate
Water resource
Water consumption
Country Federated Sates of Micronesia Federated Sates of Micronesia
Population 107,862 (July 2007 est.)
Land Area 702 km2
Climate
Water resource Avg Rainfall: 4,928 mm per annum
Water consumption
Country Fiji Fiji
Population 918 675 (July 2007 est.)
Land Area 18,270 km2
Climate
Water resource Avg Rainfall: 2000 - 3000 mm per annum
Water consumption
Country Kiribati Kiribati
Population 107,817 (July 2007 est.)
Land Area 811 km2
Climate
Water resource Avg Rainfall: South of the equator: 1,300 mm Tarawa: 2,000 mm Northernmost islands: over 3,200mm Eastern Line Islands: less than 1,000 mm
Water consumption
Country Nauru Nauru
Population 11,528 (July 2007 est.)
Land Area 21 km2
Climate
Water resource Avg Rainfall: 2,090 mm per annum
Water consumption
Country Niue Niue
Population 1,625m(GoN statistics 2006)
Land Area 260 km2
Climate
Water resource Avg Rainfall: 2,180 mm per annum
Water consumption
Country Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea
Population 5,795,887 (July 2007 est.)
Land Area 462,840 km2
Climate
Water resource Avg Rainfall:1000-80000 mm per annum
Water consumption
Country Republic of Marshall Islands Republic of Marshall Islands
Population 20,842
Land Area 458 km2
Climate
Water resource Avg Rainfall: 3,700 mm per annum
Water consumption
Country Republic of Palau Republic of Palau
Population 61,815(July 2007 est.)
Land Area 11,854.3 km2
Climate
Water resource Avg Rainfall: Southern attols: 4,000mm Northern attols:2,000 mm per annum
Water consumption
Country Samoa Samoa
Population 214,265
Land Area 2,944 km2
Climate
Water resource Avg Rainfall: 3,000 mm per annum
Water consumption
Country Solomon Islands Solomon Islands
Population 566,842
Land Area 28,450 km2
Climate
Water resource Avg Rainfall:1500-5000 mm per annum
Water consumption
Country Tonga Tonga
Population 116,921
Land Area 748 km2
Climate
Water resource Avg Rainfall: Varies from north and south of tonga with an estimated average of 2500 mm per annum
Water consumption
Country Tuvalu Tuvalu
Population 11.992 (July 2007 est.)
Land Area 26 km2
Climate
Water resource Avg Rainfall: 3000mm per annum
Water consumption
Country Vanuatu Vanuatu
Population 211,971 (July 2007 est.)
Land Area 12,200 km2
Climate
Water resource Avg Rainfall: 2000 - 4000 mm per annum
Water consumption
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Niue
Geography
Total Area 260 km2
Land 260 km2
Water 0 km2
Highest Elevation 68 m

Land Use
Arable 11.54%
Perm. Crop 15.38%
Other 73.08% (2005)

People
Population 1,625 (GoN statistics 2006)
Population Growth Rate -0.032% (2007 est.)

Economy
GDP per capita (PPP) $7,500 (GoN, 2003 est.)

Water Statistics
2,180 mm per annum  
   
Niue


Status of Water Resources
In 2003, approximately 85% of water pumped from the underground lens was used for domestic purposes, 10% for agricultural use and 5% for commercial and industrial usage. 2006 figures (provided by the Water Division, PWD) showed 80% for domestic use, 15% for agricultural use and 5% for commercial and industrial use; an increase for agricultural purposes is noted.

Niueans in the past were encouraged to build water tanks as catchments to harvest rainwater to supplement the public system, to cater to demand during cyclones and in periods of power failure. All newly constructed houses are subject to Building Code standards, and water tanks are now a compulsory requirement of a house.



Problems with Water Resources and Associated Environment Issues
Niue cannot continue to depend entirely on its underground water lens as the only source of fresh water; with the planned increase in economic development activities, rainwater harvesting as a supplementary source ought to be vigorously pursued. Rainwater harvesting at the village level and at household level, would provide a back up source. There should be reserve tanks, with the capacity not only to cater during disasters and power failures, but for daily use as well.

The increase in land surface activities may compromise the quality of the water lens. A study carried out by SOPAC on coastal water quality in 2003, was initiated due to fish poisoning outbreaks and fish deaths. The study confirmed a high nitrate and phosphate concentration believed to be caused by inadequate wastewater treatment primarily from septic tanks draining into the groundwater regime. The survey highlights the vulnerability of Nite’s water resources to any land surface activities and the close link between land and catchments activities and coastal zone impacts. Regular quality checks by the Department of Health should be undertaken.

The whole island depends on water pumped from the underground lens. Currently the domestic use of 80% of the water pumped from underground is the priority use followed by agriculture, and commercial and industry. With the expected increase in tourist accommodations, agriculture and fishing industries the level of different uses will progressively change.

Diagnostic Report
Demonstration Proposal
Hot Spot Analysis

Information on this page obtained from Integrated Water Resources Management programme's Diagnostic Reports (SOPAC 2007)