Finding drinking water Pacific Islands

[sailabroad]

Hi we are planning to head over to French Polynesia + Pacific Islands for the cruising season next year, and had wondered if its possible to find places to refill our water tanks?

We don't have a watermaker, and have struggled with the decision to invest in one, for many reasons.

We have done fine for the last 3+ years with just collecting rainwater and the very occasional marina visit when we have run low. We mostly last about 2 months without getting low and sometimes longer, depends on rainfall.

I understand that the islands themselves are struggling with supply of drininking water.

I had though if we can plan out to be somewhere there is water once say every month or two then we could get by. The southern islands seems to have higher frequency of rainfall.

Are there others that are getting by by planning out where to get water?

Thanks.

[robert sailor]

These days the SP is a good cruising location to justify a watermaker but many of us cruised there before watermakers were even an option. You have it figured out, you have tanks for 2 months use and you collect rainwater or pick it up at a marina or jerry jug it from small towns. Those are your options. Using salt water for dishes and bathing with a small fresh water rinse are other ways we all used prior to watermakers. You'll enjoy the SP, try to get off the milk run for some special experiences and cheaper cruising.

[Paul L]

In French Polynesia you should be able to Jerry jug in the Marquesas from the larger ports at Hiva Oa, Nuka Hiva, and Ua Pou among others. The Tuamotus will be more of a challenge if you like remote anchorages in classic SP atolls. The Societies should not be a problem.

It's doable, but a watermarker would be nice.

[Tetepare]

When there is a drought the atolls get hit hardest. It's always possible to find water on a mountainous island.

Majuro had a drought recently; Tarawa and Funafuti often have fresh water problems.

[donradcliffe]

It rains a lot there. With a good collection system we almost never used the watermaker.

[ejs]

Tetepare got it right. On the real Islands (the ones with mountains) it is not a problem to get water on shore (delicious mountain springs or municipal water) or by collecting since the mountains tend to cause rain locally. It is a different story on the atolls, they don't generally have much infrastructure, storage or distribution. They also don't seem (to me, maybe it was just the particular weather) to get as much rain to collect. You will need to store enough to get you through the atoll portions of your trip. You can also make friends with boats who have watermakers, we have given water to lots of boats in the drier places...

Cheers, Eric
Currently Samoa

[Paul L]

I wouldn't make out the mountainous islands as having that clean and pristine water supplies. The tap water in the main harbor at Nuka Hiva is not safe:

The water at the public dock and at the municipal taps, is not suitable for drinking. In Taiohae there are three clean water faucets in town:
1. In the parking lot adjacent to the school up the road from the bank.
2. On the road to the hardware store.
3. On the waterfront road just past the catholic church.

[roverhi]

We caught rain from our awning. Just installled two through hulls on either side of the boom and led hose to the tanks when it rained. Spent a year in FP and never had to schlep water to keep our 80 gallon tankage full.

[Siberian Sea]

I'm here in French Polynesia (Moorea Island) and you will have no problem finding drinking water all through the Windward Islands as well as the Society Islands. Yes, some of the smaller atolls have very limited water and a few none at all but...... All inhabited islands have a source and you will find the locals more then happy to share. Learn a few French words and expressions before you arrive, it really go's a long way towards opening doors. You are going to love these islands.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Paul L

I wouldn't make out the mountainous islands as having that clean and pristine water supplies. The tap water in the main harbor at Nuka Hiva is not safe:

That's a fact.. it was green when I was there.. folks were going to an anchorage a few miles to the W to jerry jug from a stream there.
I just bought 20 5L bottles from the store instead and caught rainwater on the run to Samoa.. got 3-5 squalls/day which netted 10-15buckets/squall so did just fine.

[Dougtiff]

This question triggered a memory of year's past, back in the 70'S and 80'S, while cruising S.E. Asia [before water makers] i was toting 2 full Jerry cans of water, walking thru the mud at low tide in Malaysia back to the dinghy and hence to the boat that i stepped on a broke off stake below the bud line, which punctured my foot in the arch, my god that hurt so bad, was able to get back to shore and to the local medical facility, such as it was, they had no pain killer, i sat in a chair, with my arms thru the arm rest, and believe it or not, a piece of rubber to bite down on, while they dug out the wood, taking some time, had to keep my foot dry for a couple of week's, while on antibiotics.

[ejs]

Paul l,

I didn't say you could drink out of every tap on the mountainous islands, only that clean water was easily available. The municipal purification locations you mentioned are where the locals get their drinking water, they are free and claim to be tested frequently. They also have plenty to share with cruisers. On the atolls, this may not always be the case.

Eric

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Dougtiff

This question triggered a memory of year's past, back in the 70'S and 80'S, while cruising S.E. Asia [before water makers] i was toting 2 full Jerry cans of water, walking thru the mud at low tide in Malaysia back to the dinghy and hence to the boat that i stepped on a broke off stake below the bud line, which punctured my foot in the arch, my god that hurt so bad, was able to get back to shore and to the local medical facility, such as it was, they had no pain killer, i sat in a chair, with my arms thru the arm rest, and believe it or not, a piece of rubber to bite down on, while they dug out the wood, taking some time, had to keep my foot dry for a couple of week's, while on antibiotics.

This is exactly the reason I have a watermaker - also my back luvs it.

[snort]

Please forgive the thread drift, but how do you first clear the bird crap from the awning or deck when collecting rainwater?

[Frugal]

After spending the last 12 years in the western Pacific I have found collecting rain off 500 watts of solar panels on the davits is a major contributor. A 2.5 square meter tarpaulin slung between the rails contributes when needed. The water maker is a very unused backup.
As for the bird droppings they are rich in calcium and phosphorus. essential elements for a good diet??