There are encouraging signs that groundwater reserves on Aitutkai in the Cook Islands are large enough to supplement the existing water supply during times of drought.
Aitutaki, Cook Islands Photo: Ewan Smith
A group of eight researchers from the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Cook Islands government spent two weeks investigating previously untapped water sources that could provide clean drinking water.
SPC spokesperson Peter Sinclair said geophysical and electrical testing indicated these water sources would be able to provide high volumes of fresh water.
"We are able to identify with out data sets, our survey, where the high-yield targets are likely to be," Mr Sinclair said.
"So from that we think there's potential for the water to provide a considerable amount of supplementary water to support the existing water supply system."
The next step was to send a drilling rig to Aitutaki to further investigate the water reserves, he said.
There were also plans to conduct similar research on the Cooks' other outer islands, Mr Sinclair said.
