The Water Authority of Fiji is urging its customers to conserve water and to store enough water to last for at least two days. This plea follows critical levels of raw water sources impacting the Tamavua system. Out of the six main raw water sources, five are at critical levels, including Headwork’s 1, Headwork’s 2, Headwork’s 3, Waimanu Pump Station, and Savura Pump Station.
In the Central Eastern region, of the 20 water sources, nine have reached critical levels, along with the five previously mentioned. Additionally, five water sources are either normal or nearing critical status, with a noticeable decline in levels and flows being observed.
WAF’s Acting Chief Operating Officer, Samuela Rokovaleusa, noted that recent rainfall has done little to improve water levels, and further decreases are expected if significant rainfall does not occur soon. He explained that over the past two months, rainfall has been minimal, leaving many sources at base flow conditions with total stream flows heavily reliant on groundwater contributions.
Rokovaleusa highlighted that low rainfall at the catchments is leading to reduced raw water production, which adversely affects treated water production and the already struggling Tamavua Reservoir levels. The decline in raw water sources directly impacts water production capabilities, resulting in a depletion of reservoir levels. The WAF Hydrology Team is closely monitoring the major raw water sources.
As a result of the current situation, areas served by the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant may experience temporary disruptions. WAF Operation Teams may need to adjust valves based on treated water production levels.