The government of Fiji is set to make significant advancements in the country’s water and wastewater infrastructure, with a remarkable investment of $284 million announced in the 2025-2026 budget. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, emphasized the urgent need for this investment to tackle decades of neglected infrastructure and critical challenges facing the sector.
This initiative will see the Water Authority receiving substantial funding aimed at upgrading and repairing aging water systems, expanding distribution networks, and drastically reducing water losses—currently at an alarming rate of 50%. Prasad highlighted that nearly half of the treated water is lost due to leaks, a situation that hampers the government’s ability to provide safe drinking water to all Fijians and stifles economic growth.
Plans include a partnership with a Spanish company under a performance-based contract, facilitated by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), aimed at reducing the non-revenue water rate from 50% to just 20% within five years. This performance-based framework will tie payments to verified reductions in water losses, marking a groundbreaking approach in the Pacific region.
Key projects in the pipeline include the recently completed $270 million Viria Water Project, which significantly improved water supply in the Suva-Nausori area. Additional plans involve the construction of a new 20-megalitre water treatment plant, expected to benefit over 230,000 residents along the Suva-Lami corridor and parts of Nasinu. Furthermore, extensive upgrades will take place in Western and Northern divisions to enhance water access and quality for tens of thousands more Fijians.
The Kinoya Wastewater Treatment Facility, operating at twice its capacity, will also see expansion, supported by a $300 million Healthy Oceans and Water Security project backed by the ADB. This initiative aims to double the treatment capacity and reduce pollution entering the ocean.
To support these extensive efforts, the ADB is pledging a $10 million grant to establish a Water Sector Academy, which will serve as a regional training center dedicated to developing essential skills in water and wastewater management.
As part of the government’s commitment to support low-income households, free water access will be maintained for families earning $30,000 or less annually. Additionally, a $9.5 million electricity subsidy program will assist 60,000 low-income households and over 1,000 schools across Fiji.
Prasad reiterated the government’s determination to create a financially sustainable and technologically advanced water sector that ensures equitable access for all citizens. This robust investment is set to not only modernize Fiji’s water infrastructure but also pave the way for long-term improvements in public health and economic development, providing a hopeful outlook for the future as the nation addresses its pressing water needs.
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