Groundwater is an invaluable yet finite resource that requires protection against pollution, over-extraction, and emerging threats like microplastics, particularly as development increases in both rural and urban settings. This message was underscored by Filimoni Vosarogo, the Minister for Lands, during the inauguration of a $68,000 borehole water project designed to benefit ten households at Naua Settlement in Macuata.
With this new initiative, over 30 residents will gain direct access to clean water, a significant improvement after relying on rainwater and nearby river sources for the past sixty years. This project is part of the government’s broader effort to enhance safe and reliable water supply access for rural communities throughout Vanua Levu.
“There is a long list of communities and areas where their requests have been with the Ministry for some time,” said Vosarogo. “We have expanded the allocation from the Ministry of Finance to ensure that there are sufficient funds to bring this service to communities that are outside the Water Authority of Fiji grid.”
Local resident Mohammed Jamal Khan expressed gratitude for the new borehole system, highlighting that the community had long depended on a river for their daily water needs. “Now, with this newly fitted borehole system, it will help us a lot. Our Naua community, about eight to ten households, will benefit from this project,” Khan remarked.
Vosarogo also emphasized the importance of communal responsibility, encouraging residents to support their Water Committee in maintaining the system and to manage water extraction levels wisely for future sustainability. The Ministry reiterated the government’s dedication to safeguarding groundwater resources while ensuring equitable access to safe drinking water for all communities in Fiji.
This project not only addresses immediate water needs but also fosters a sense of responsibility and community collaboration, paving the way for a more sustainable future for rural settlements in Fiji.
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