Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID FSM_2025_KIM_3

Information Transfer on Water Quality Analysis Techniques for Pohnpei Utility Corporations, FSM

Institute: Guam
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $46,157 Total Non-Federal Funds: Not available

Principal Investigators: Yong Sang Kim

Project Summary: The development of modern water treatment systems and distribution networks in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) began in the 1970s. Despite these advancements, many households still lack confidence in the quality of municipal water. Currently, Pohnpei Utilities Corporation (PUC) serves approximately 50% of the population and covers 30% of Pohnpei Island's area. Similar to other FSM islands, PUC's water quality laboratory faces significant limitations in its testing capacities. In a previous project, we developed water quality test manuals to support water quality testing across FSM. In November 2024, we visited Pohnpei to discuss the challenges in water quality analysis and assess the laboratory's condition. PUC identified three key areas where support is needed: 1) technical assistance, 2) funding for the analysis of emerging contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and 3) collaboration to acquire new water quality instruments to improve in-house testing capabilities. This fiscal year, personnel from the Water and Environmental Research Institute (WERI) of the Western Pacific will provide water quality testing services to PUC. Additionally, to compare with PUC's results, we will select another FSM island and collect water samples as a reference.