International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

Groundwater pollution by sanitation on tropical islands

On coral islands and coastal areas of other islands, contamination by sewage can threaten the use of groundwater as a drinking water supply. This is especially severe on small and low-lying islands, where surface water supplies are generally unavailable, and population densities in urbanising areas are increasing ahead of centralised sewerage collection and treatment systems. On such islands soils are usually thin, and aquifers are highly permeable and can only be tapped at shallow depths without drawing in saline water. These factors lead to a high risk of microbiological and nitrate contamination of groundwater which can have serious and recurrent affects on the health of local communities which rely on the groundwater supply.

3181: Pollution Reduction through Improved Municipal Wastewater Management in Coastal Cities in ACP Countries with a Focus on SIDS

10 mar. 2010

report

Groundwater pollution by sanitation on tropical islands.pdf

Global
Report