halston debrum is operations manager for majuro's government- run water company.e says the drought last year nearly depleted their supply. >> this reservoir was half. that one, empty. reservoir number one and two were pretty empty as well. the only water we did have was pretty much in the covered reservoir, the treated water. >> reporter: debrum says a more severe weather event could leave them scrambling. so if the big one hits next month, you guys aren't ready for it? >> no, if the big one hits next month, we won't be ready for it. and then we'll have to find other ways to provide water. >> reporter: but debrum says he's confident coming improvements will one day provide all residents 24/7 water access, even during droughts. >> i think if we improve what we have here what we have. the infrastructure work that we have now. improve the pipeline. improve our catchment area on the runway. and then build more reservoirs. bigger reservoirs so that we can store more. >> reporter: on ebeye, the main freshwater source is a 14-year- old desalination that's undergoing a ne