Introduction

Contamination of drinking water is a significant concern for public health throughout the world and Country Level Implementation the Pacific region is no different. The need expressed by Pacific island countries (PICs) for support in improving and strengthening their water quality monitoring capacity as a means of verification for the safety of drinking water has been reflected in the outcomes of many national and regional frameworks such as the Pacific Regional Action Plan on Sustainable Water Management (2002) and the Pacific Framework for Action on Drinking Water Quality and Health (2005).
 
In order to assist PICs build their capacity in water quality monitoring, the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Institute of Applied Sciences of the University of the South Pacific (IAS-USP) are implementing the Water Quality Monitoring Capacity Building Programme for Pacific Island Countries (WQM). ‘In-kind’ technical support is also provided by the New Zealand Ministry of Health during implementation. The WQM programme, supported by the New Zealand government, commenced in mid 2006.