This system gives some degree of self-sufficiency to the refuge; self sufficiency is very important on an island that is hit with frequent typhoons. The system may well be expanded in the future to provide water to the visiting public. At this point, visitors still must rely on portable toilets and bring their own drinking water and rinse water.

For those who have not experienced the lack of water for months at a time at your place of work, imagine having to use portable toilets in tropical heat and humidity for 16 months and you may well also imagine the great morale boost that came with the completion of this system. In addition to this side of the story, the small system also restored the ability to rinse salt spray off equipment and facilities, provide water for limited native plant plantings, and water to wash off the grit, grime, and sweat from working in the field.

In addition to refuge staff, the refuge also provides office and laboratory space to the USGS Brown Tree Snake Research project with up to 12 researchers. Care of captive brown tree snakes and research mice and their pens and cages was greatly improved with the completion of the system.