A $40 million water infrastructure project, named the Princess Road Water Infrastructure Project, is underway in Fiji with the aim of tackling the persistent issues of inconsistent water supply affecting residents in Colo-I-Suva, Khalsa Road, Tacirua, and Tamavua. As of December last year, Minister for Infrastructure Ro Filipe Tuisawau indicated that tender applications were still being reviewed, and a contractor has yet to be finalized for this initiative.
The project entails the construction of a new gravity pipeline extending from the Sawani junction to a new pump station at Buresasa. Additionally, a rising main pipeline will connect this station to the Colo-I-Suva Reservoir, and new tank reservoirs will be built in the area. This upgrade is designed to facilitate the movement of approximately nine million liters of water daily from the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant to the Viria Water Treatment Plant, effectively boosting supply capacity and reliability.
In a recent interview, Minister Tuisawau reaffirmed that while a contractor has not yet been confirmed, there are expectations for this to happen by the end of May. The entire project is projected to be completed in about 18 months. Tuisawau expressed concern that such improvements should have been prioritized earlier as part of broader efforts involving the Viria Water Project.
There are also plans for a complementary water treatment plant that is expected to be operational within the next 12 to 15 months. This dual approach illustrates a strategy aimed at significantly enhancing water management and reliability for the affected communities.
As outlined in related objectives by the government, this extensive water infrastructure initiative is viewed as a significant investment into the future of water supply systems in Fiji, which could lead to marked improvements in the quality of life for residents facing chronic water shortages. The shift from a pumping to a gravity-fed supply method promises to foster resilience, especially during adverse conditions that have historically complicated water distribution efforts. Overall, hopes remain high that this initiative will lead to lasting solutions for the water supply challenges faced in these regions.
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