The Water Authority of Fiji is calling on customers to conserve water and to store enough for at least two days. This request follows critical levels recorded in the Tamavua water system’s raw water sources. Out of six primary raw water sources, five are classified as critical, including Headwork’s 1, Headwork’s 2, Headwork’s 3, Waimanu Pump Station, and the Savura Pump Station.
In the Central Eastern region, nine out of 20 water sources are at critical levels, while five others are nearing critical status, showing a worrying downward trend in level and flow. WAF Acting Chief Operating Officer Samuela Rokovaleusa noted that recent rainfall has had minimal effect on water levels, which are expected to decline further if significant rain does not occur soon.
He highlighted that the past two months of limited rainfall have resulted in most sources being at base flow conditions, meaning total stream flows are primarily fed by groundwater. The low rainfall has caused a drop in raw water production, affecting treated water output and depleting the Tamavua Reservoir levels.
The decrease in raw water availability directly influences water production efforts, leading to reservoir shortages. The WAF Hydrology Team is closely monitoring the main raw water sources. During this time, areas served by the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant may face temporary service disruptions as WAF operation teams may need to adjust valves based on treated water production levels.