Many least-wealthy, rural, remote and resource-poor small island communities are
unlikely to benefit from high-profile global water improvement initiatives. Their small
landmasses, geologic composition, geography, social and technological isolation,
colonial history, and weak educational and financial resources constitute significant
barriers to improving access to safe drinking water. This paper discusses the relatively
unique position of such island societies in the international community, providing a case
study of the Federated States of Micronesia that integrates data and information
pertaining to water resources management and governance, spanning from the island
village to national scale. A vision is offered regarding the interaction between small
island human and biophysical water systems, manifesting ways to pursue water resource
development to improve public health which are constructed to be economically,
physically and culturally sustainable.