The Water Authority of Fiji is calling on its customers to conserve water and to stockpile enough water for at least two days. This plea follows reports that the Tamavua system is facing critical shortages in its raw water sources.
Of the six primary raw water sources, five are currently at critical levels: Headwork’s 1, Headwork’s 2, Headwork’s 3, Waimanu Pump Station, and Savura Pump Station. In the Central Eastern region, nine out of 20 sources are at critical levels, including those already mentioned. Five additional sources are either normal or nearing critical status, with a noticeable decline in levels and flows.
WAF Acting Chief Operating Officer Samuela Rokovaleusa noted that recent rainfall has had little effect on replenishing water levels. He warned that without significant rainfall in the coming days, these levels are expected to decline further.
“Due to minimal rainfall over the past two months, many sources are in a base flow condition, with total stream flows heavily reliant on groundwater,” Rokovaleusa explained. He pointed out that the lack of rainfall at the catchments is leading to decreased raw water production, causing challenges for treated water production and putting pressure on the Tamavua Reservoir.
The reduction in raw water sources is having a direct effect on water production efforts, leading to lower reservoir levels. The WAF Hydrology Team is closely monitoring the key raw water sources.
Rokovaleusa indicated that during this period, those receiving water from the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant may face temporary disruptions as WAF operation teams might need to adjust valves based on treated water production levels.