The Water Authority of Fiji is advising its customers to conserve water and to ensure they have enough stored to last for at least two days. This alert follows the critical condition of raw water sources in the Tamavua system.
Currently, five out of six primary raw water sources, which include rivers and streams, are at critically low levels. The affected sources are 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 water sources are facing similar critical conditions, alongside five others that are nearing critical status with decreasing levels and flows.
WAF’s Acting Chief Operating Officer, Samuela Rokovaleusa, noted that recent rainfall has had minimal effect on water levels, and unless significant rain occurs soon, levels are expected to decline further.
He highlighted that following the low rainfall over the past two months, most water sources are experiencing base flow conditions, meaning total stream flows are largely dependent on groundwater.
The reduction in raw water availability is affecting treated water production, leading to dwindling reservoir levels at the Tamavua Reservoir. The Hydrology Team at WAF is closely monitoring conditions at the main raw water sources.
During this time, areas served by the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant may encounter temporary disruptions, as operational teams may need to adjust valve operations based on treated water production levels.