1 July 2012: The Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) project is addressing water issues in the Marshall Islands by installing water meters and improving the Airport Water Reservoir, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has reported. The Majuro Water and Sewer Company, via an agreement with PACC, is funding the Reservoir work and providing 11 bulk meters, a leak locator and a flow meter.

According to PACC’s 2009 In-Country Consultation Report, the country has very limited groundwater supplies, and any reduction in rainfall – such as that caused by climate change – puts it at high risk of drought. The project aims to increase water storage and improve existing water systems at the Airport Reservoir and the Water Plant. In addition, the new meters will monitor leakage and water flow measurements, which will contribute to assessing appropriate adaptation options for the country.

The PACC Project consists of 14 member countries and territories: the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. PACC is implemented by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and SPREP. It is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) with support from the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Climate Change Capacity Development (C3D+). [SPREP Press Release]