Residents of Tacirua and Tamavua have been relying on their limited water supply after experiencing a water shortage for the past three days. Over 1,000 individuals in the area have faced this challenge for nearly a week.
Mareca Moce, a 53-year-old resident of the Vunivauceva settlement for over ten years, stated that such water issues are not new to her family of eight. She recalled that during their earlier years in the settlement, they received water only once around 11 am, and while the situation had improved for a while, it has deteriorated again recently. Since Monday, her family has not had access to clean water.
“Our relief from water carts doesn’t reach us inside the settlement, so we have to carry buckets from the main road, which takes about 20 minutes,” Ms. Moce explained. The family has been preserving their dwindling water supply from last week for use this week. “We even store water used for washing rice and the water from washing dishes. To bathe and do laundry, we walk long distances to the river, which is particularly difficult for those of my age.”
Miliakere Morika from Tamavua expressed that the entire community, especially the elderly, has been affected by the water crisis. She noted that their neighbors, who are currently grieving while observing funeral rites, have been forced to purchase water from the supermarket for food preparation and guests.
“The hardships are significant for families with bedridden elderly members,” Ms. Morika said. “Our neighbors are facing challenges in their time of grief. This struggle has been ongoing since childhood; for us, it’s nothing new.” She also pointed out that the water tanks set up by local youths have become unsafe for drinking due to their deteriorating condition. “Some of these tanks have been contaminated, and the nearby river is polluted with animal waste.”
Community members are urgently appealing to the Water Authority of Fiji and relevant government officials for immediate assistance.