The Water Authority of Fiji is calling on its customers to conserve water and to store enough water to last for at least two days. This request follows the Tamavua system experiencing critical levels in its raw water sources.
Out of six main raw water sources, five are currently at critical levels, specifically Headwork’s 1, Headwork’s 2, Headwork’s 3, Waimanu Pump Station, and Savura Pump Station. In the Central Eastern region, out of 20 water sources, nine have reached critical status, including the aforementioned sources, while five others are nearing critical levels with a declining trend in levels and flows.
WAF’s Acting Chief Operating Officer Samuela Rokovaleusa noted that recent rainfall has had minimal effect on water levels, and without significant rainfall in the coming days, levels are expected to decrease further. He explained that due to low rainfall over the past two months, most sources are at base flow conditions, and total stream flows are primarily reliant on groundwater contributions.
Rokovaleusa highlighted that the critical situation regarding raw water production has led to a decrease in treated water production and has resulted in struggling reservoir levels at the Tamavua Reservoir. The reduction in raw water sources directly affects water production efforts and leads to diminishing reservoir levels. The WAF Hydrology Team is closely monitoring the situation at the primary raw water sources.
He warned that during this period, areas served by the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant may face temporary disruptions, as WAF Operation Teams may need to adjust valve operations based on treated water production levels.