PALAU HEALTH LITERACY
T
hrough our Water for Life initiative, PREL is undertaking ambitious, Pacific-wide efforts to improve access to high-quality drinking water while building community water literacy. These large-scale projects harness the knowledge, resources, and wisdom of community groups, island elders, students, and government agencies to tackle major freshwater-related challenges. As part of multiple informal science education activities across Palau, PREL shared information at a February community meeting in Echang on the impending drought, one month prior to the official declaration of a national state of emergency. To prepare for the anticipated water shortages, Water for Life worked with community leaders to assess the Echang Dam,
Community members prepare for an impending drought.
the primary source of water for over 15 households and 120 residents. Water for Life designed water conservation plans for households and cost-shared projects to repair dam leaks, resulting in increased water pressure and improved water quality for local residents. Water for Life also fixed leaky pipes to increase the distribution of water from the dam to households and conducted house-to-house water conservation assessments and
upgrades, such as installing drop blocks in toilet tanks to reduce wastewater needs. When the drought arrived, municipal water was rationed to three hours per day for over 80% of the population. Water for Life’s educational and practical efforts directly helped to prepare families for the extended drought. “Water for Life’s technical support in helping us prepare for drought by providing information about drought projections and helping us prepare for it as a community was critical. When the drought hit our community was dependent on the surface water dam that Water for Life assisted us to repair.” Charlie Patris, Community Organizer.
A watershed manager introduces youths to a local watershed to learn about drought impacts.
22 • PREL 2016 ANNUAL REPORT