by Linny Folau

Tonga's underground water supply is being threatened by the careless disposal of waste that may pollute the clean water supply, warns Sione Faka'osi of Tonga's Department of Environment.

"The quality of Tonga'’s water system is not at a critical stage at the moment, still the increasing mismanagement of waste urges us to do something," said Sione, who is the National Coordinator for the Tonga International Waters Project (IWP).

It is important is for people to know that what they do on land whether it is careless littering or overflowing septic tanks has dramatic impact on the underground water system as proven in a survey they conducted last year, he told the first meeting of a National Communication Team for the IWP in October.

He said that the communication team would help to ensure that correct and simplified information reaches the Tongan public and to educate them in ways of improving waste management in Tonga. The committee will meet again on October 21 to develop consistent message.

Water degradation

IWP is the first pilot project in Tonga to address the root causes of degradation of marine and freshwater quality, Tonga's priority environmental concern. They will set up activities focusing on community based waste reduction towards improving the freshwater quality.

Chaired by Sione Faka'’osi, the committee includes Dr Malakai 'Ake from the Ministry of Health, Tasi Ledger from the National Youth Congress, John Gildea the Director of the Tonga Solid Waste Management Project, and from the media are Laumanu Petelo of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission, Laumeesi Latu, Taimi '‘o Tonga and Melemoala Aleamotu'a from the Tonga Chronicle, and Linny Folau of the Matangi Tonga Online.

Sione Faka'’osi said that the major concerns regarding Tonga'’s Water System at the moment is poor disposal of solid waste and untreated human and animal waste.

The International Waters Programme has started activities to design the first pilot project in 2002 in Nukuhetulu village in which they demonstrated household composting, sorting and re-using of organic rubbish, home gardening and plant nursery using compost soil and organic farming.