SPC Geoscience Division

RAINWATER can be a good supplement to the country's water needs if tapped into and used effectively. It is useful and free but a highly under utilised freshwater resource, especially in cities and towns. But a large proportion of people living in rural areas and outer islands have their own rainwater tanks for water supply.

The Secretariat for the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission said rainwater was generally considered as a safe source of water supply. SOPAC's water services coordinator, Tasleem Hasan said contamination of rainwater only occured with the collection and storage methods.