Study on water sustainability in Tahiti

Abstract

With an overall huge amount of water available in Tahiti, we might think that future generations have no reason to worry; however, this is not reflecting the real aspect of water availability in each district. By analysing the situation and the spatial distribution of the current water available, problematic areas have been identified. The methodology considers the major current characteristics, such as geographical variations for rainfall patterns and water distribution, but also demographic variations and distribution over the area.

There are 3 types of situation identified: In Papenoo: where water is available in a really huge amount with about 200 millions of cubic meter discharged per year, which is way higher than water demand in that area

In Afaahiti: where they are actually having sufficient water discharged by the AOMA’s river, but are likely to experience water shortage in the future, with a minimum storage required volume of 2,300,000 m3 by 2050

In Papara: where the most critical situation is found, especially during the dry seasons, with an actual water deficit requiring a minimum storage volume of 760,000 m3

.Also infiltration volume of about 730,000,000 cubic meters recharging the underground reservoirs per year is found for the whole island.