Traditional Solomon Islands water well building methods facing challenges from climate change

Excerpt and Photo from abc.net.au

Traditional forms of water wells on Savo Island in Solomon Islands are stunning with wide open stone mouths that reach into the earth, giving access to fresh consumable water, but this method is under threat.

As the climate changes, more of the water wells are unusable due to salination from the rising sea levels, something that local communities are concerned about.

Victor Peter Kere is from Savo Island and acknowledges that the wells are facing a challenge due to rising sea levels but is desperate for the methods of building to be preserved.

“I believe that the traditional way of building wells will be lost as people are looking at much better alternatives of getting water for consumption and use,” Mr Kere said.

As a volcanic island, the traditional method of the wells has been a solid option for locals.