This site focuses on CNMI, FSM, Guam, Marshall Islands, and Palau.
Click on American Samoa or Hawaii to link to either program's Web site.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

With an economy based mostly upon the tourism and garment industries, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) has become an international hub for individuals seeking work, an education, or to simply enjoy life in the islands. Saipan is the largest of the Northern Islands and demands the greatest need for Water Quality outreach, planning, coordination, and enforcement efforts due to a brimming population of around 65,000 and ever decreasing available lands. Luta (Pop. 4,000) and Tinian (Pop. 4,000) are affected to a lesser extent, but would also benefit from training and support in managing water resources in a tropical island ecosystem.

Drinking Water and Human Health
Water resource issues differ slightly from island to island, but some of the greatest concerns are:

  • clean drinking water in Saipan which currently has a high salinity level.
  • improved wastewater treatment technologies and water conveyance infrastructure.
  • high levels of lead and copper in the water supply. This problem is believed to be attributable to lead and copper piping (conveyance) systems that still exist in CNMI and are currently unregulated.
  • water aquifer poisoning due to illegal dumping of TCE’s (Trichloroethylene-a hazardous chemical used by the garment industry to remove spots on fabrics and used by auto shops as a degreaser).
  • lack of trash recovery facilities, segregation of hazardous material, and illegal trash dumping.
  • PCB’s and other hazardous materials that were left on the islands after World War II that continue to plague communities here.

Animal Waste Management
Small-scale backyard swine production facilities are very common in the Micronesian region, however, few or no incentives exist for farmers to implement waste management systems on their farms. Furthermore, many of the region's pig farmers do not realize the potential hazard of animal waste seepage into their water resources. There are "appropriate technology" alternatives being developed and promoted in the region. Our current project, co-funded by EPA, will promote low-cost waste management systems to pig farmers. Ideally, these alternatives will reduce daily labor and water requirements while providing a means of enhancing crop production by incorporating nutrient rich materials into their cropping systems.

Pesticide and Nutrient Management
Recently, some wells have been found to have high levels of nitrates. Elevated nitrate levels in drinking water can pose significant health risks if left unchecked. Some sources known to contribute to nitrification of groundwater are agricultural animal wastes and agricultural crop production activities that incorporate significant amounts of nitrogen-based fertilizers. Additionally, inadequate or improperly constructed septic systems can contribute to well contamination in the form of elevated nitrates.

Watershed Management
In CNMI, our sensitive coral reef ecosystems, drinking water concerns, and water recreation issues (beach closures), could benefit from successful Watershed Management.

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Email about these pages to Luisa Castro: luisac@hawaii.edu
Last revised on February 2007
URL: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/rwq/westernpacific/westernpacific.htm
This material is based upon work supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. 2002-51130-01976.