SPC Water, Sanitation and Hygiene : Tonga

Tonga

Geography

Total Area	748 km²
Land	718 km²
Water	30 km²
Highest Elevation	1,033 m

Land Use

Arable	20%
Perm. Crop	14.67%
Other	65.33% (2005)

People

Population	116,921 (July 2007 est.)
Population Growth Rate	1.847% (July 2007 est.)

Economy

GDP per capita (PPP)

$2,200 (2005 est.)

Water Statistics

Avg Rainfall

Varies from north to south of Tonga with an estimated average of 2500 mm per annum

Status of Water Resources
The source of freshwater for Tonga is either through rainwater harvesting, or extracted from a thin freshwater lens within the highly porous limestone substrate. The water resources of Tonga are primarily in the form of groundwater. Surface water resources are not present on most islands; exceptions are 'Eua where supply originates from springs in caves high above sea level, and on a number of the volcanic islands including Niuafo'oua and Niuatoputapu and Tofua, where there are several salty lakes.

Surface water: Eua, Niuafo'oua and Niuatoputapu and Tofua.
Groundwater: Urban centres.

Problems with Water Resources and Associated Environment Issues

Exploitation and consumption

The greatest demand for water is on Tongatapu. According to the 1996 census, Tonga’s total population was 97,784. Tongatapu has the highest population density and totalled 66,979 which accounted for 69% of the total population. Vava’u recorded 15715 (16%), Ha’apai recorded 8138 (8%), ‘Eua recorded 4934 (5%), and the Niuas recorded 2018 (2%). As it is estimated that the population has grown by 46,000 people in the last decade it is possible that the population of Tongatapu has grown by up to 30,000 people. These figures can all be updated and verified when the 2006 census figures are released. Water consumption per household per month, in the Nuku’alofa area was estimated at 0.03 ML in 1998.

Wastewater management and pollution control

There is no centralised reticulated sewerage system in Tonga. All wastewater is managed by on-site systems, with supervision by the Ministry of Health (MOH) when resources permit. In this respect wastewater management is in the hands of the community.

Information exchanges on water resources

According to personnel involved in water management, there is no functioning information or data exchange systems on water resources. Data and information are exchanged to fulfil requirements for externally funded projects such as the current development of the Water Safety Plans. However on a daily basis this does not necessarily occur.

Diagnostic Report
Demonstration Proposal
Hot Spot Analysis

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