This was a five‑week field study on the island of Vanua Balavu in the remote Lau Group, supported by Imperial, the Royal Geographical Society, and Fiji’s Mineral Resources Department (MRD). Its primary aim was to develop a simple, practical, village‑level water‑resource assessment methodology, based on principles of Rapid Rural Appraisal, which could inform future small‑island water‑management planning.
The team conducted an island‑wide investigation combining hydrogeology, domestic‑water‑use surveys, geochemical sampling, community interviews, and mapping of water infrastructure. Vanua Balavu was chosen due to its varied geology, existing borehole system, and mix of villages with and without reticulated water, allowing direct comparison of supply conditions.
The hydrogeological assessment identified four major geological units, noting that only the central volcanic region possesses sufficient aquifer potential for sustainable groundwater extraction. Existing boreholes at Daliconi and Malaka were functioning, though system capacity was strained; the Lomaloma borehole showed signs of marine saline intrusion and was non‑operational. The study documented significant system weaknesses, including over‑pumping, lack of pressure regulation, widespread leakage, inadequate storage, and dysfunctional private tanks—especially the resort island Yanu Yanu’s 5,000l tanks, which continuously overflowed.
A detailed consumption study in Sawana (50 households) revealed typical domestic use of 2,000–4,000 l per household per day, with large losses due to leaking taps and unmanaged night‑time pressure. Villagers preferred rainwater for drinking, citing taste, turbidity, and salinity issues with borehole water. Surrounding villages—Susui, Namalata, Dakuilomaloma, Avea, and Urone—relied on vulnerable mixtures of springs, small reservoirs, and rainwater tanks, many in states of disrepair, with some communities experiencing critical seasonal shortages.
Geochemical sampling of boreholes and springs supported assessment of water quality and saline‑intrusion risk. The report offers tailored recommendations for each village, including improved storage, spring protection, new borehole siting, leak reduction, and community–government coordination. Overall, the expedition demonstrated that low‑cost, systematic surveys can effectively guide sustainable water‑resource management on small islands.