American Samoa island Tutuila is having $1.8 million available in partnership with American Samoa Power Authority to conduct a basin study.
WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Reclamation, in partnership with the American Samoa Power Authority, is making $1.8 million available to conduct a basin study on the American Samoa island Tutuila. American Samoa is facing challenges related to climate change, water distribution system losses, and reliance on freshwater aquifers, which are susceptible to saltwater intrusion.
“This basin study will assist American Samoa in identifying strategies to support and maintain a reliable, sustainable, and resilient water supply for the next generation,” said International Affairs Program Manager Jeff Morris. “We look forward to deepening our partnership with the American Samoa Power Authority as they seek to meet its future water supply needs.”
American Samoa Power Authority installs, operates, and maintains the public utility infrastructure. The water supply on Tutuila is reliant on freshwater aquifers. These aquifers are vulnerable to saltwater intrusion and reduced water quality from contaminants in surface water infiltrating island aquifers. The water distribution system is also losing as much as 60% of the water conveyed to water users, leading to increased pumping to meet the water demand.
Climate change is impacting American Samoa, changing the precipitation and aquifer recharge patterns. Rising sea levels because of climate change cause saltwater intrusion in groundwater wells and the distribution system.
Reclamation has previously partnered with the American Samoa Power Authority to develop options for improving and augmenting potable water sources, water treatment facilities, and distribution pipelines for the public water supply system. Reclamation's ongoing contributions include consultation on the development of new water treatment facilities, improvements to existing facilities to desalinate and disinfect brackish groundwater, and technical support for the analysis and development of the territory's water resources.
Reclamation is providing the funding through the WaterSMART Basin Study Program. Basin studies are collaborative studies that evaluate water supply and demand and help ensure reliable water supplies by identifying strategies to address imbalances in water supply and demand.
To learn more, please visit www.usbr.gov/watersmart/bsp/.
