The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a grouping of 607 small islands in the Western Pacific about 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, lying just above the Equator. Generally speaking, FSM comprises what is known as the Eastern and Western Caroline Islands. While the country's total land area amounts to only 270.8 square miles, it occupies more than one million square miles of the Pacific Ocean, and ranges 1,700 miles from East (Kosrae) to West (Yap). Each of the four States, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap, centers around one or more "high islands," and all but Kosrae include numerous atolls.

The islands of the FSM are the result of volcanic activity millions of years ago resulting in islands and atolls of incredible variety. The islands consist of four basic types: high volcanic and basaltic islands, low atoll associated coral islands, raised coral islands, and low non-atoll coral islands. The population of 105,506 is found on 125 inhabited islands.

The climate in the FSM averages 80° F year round, with highs in the high 80s and lows in the high 70s. Rainfall is heaviest during the summer months. Trade winds come mainly from the northeast from December through June.

Drinking Water and Human Health
Water resource issues differ slightly from island to island mainly because of different water systems. To a vast majority of the population whose water systems are not run by a Public Utility Corporation, water pipes running water from streams or rivers are untreated and unfiltered. These water sources are often in an area accessible or in close vicinity to human activities. Local EPA offices have tested for bacteria in the water but cannot differentiate or determine if bacteria is from human or animal fecal. Additionally nitrate is suspected in the water because of wild animals and domestic swine and chickens however the capability to test for nitrate does not exist.

Road construction has also contributed to water pollution and sedimentation. On the island of Pohnpei, where Kava is a major cash crop, deforestation is a major problem. The practice not only negatively affects the watershed but it contributes immensely to runoff and sedimentation in rivers and streams. The quality of groundwater on the island deteriorated greatly as a direct result of deforestation. Arial photography in 1975 showed about 25% of the native forest intact. In 1995 aerial photography showed only 15%.

There are perennial streams only on Kosrae and Pohnpei, despite high average annual rainfalls of 300 cm to over 1000 cm. Towns on several of the high islands have water delivery systems fed by streams or wells, but the majority of the population relies on roof catchments supplemented by fresh and brackish groundwater springs and wells. Atolls and some coastal areas on the high islands get their water by catchments and by tapping into underground lenses of fresh or brackish water.

Trisha Macomber's trip to Chuuk.

Trisha Macomber's trip to Pohnpei.