In a significant update to Fiji’s approach to groundwater management, Minister for Mineral Resources and Lands, Filimoni Vosarogo, detailed advancements made in the country’s resource management during a recent parliamentary session. The Department of Mineral Resources, which oversees Fiji’s groundwater resources, has been utilizing Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) for identifying underground water sources. However, Vosarogo acknowledged the technique’s limitations, such as being labor-intensive and slow, which restricts the number of borehole sites that can be examined each year.
To enhance the efficiency of groundwater assessment, the Ministry has partnered with Geoscience Australia, supported by the Australian Government, to implement an airborne geophysical survey technology. This innovative new method, operational since last month, employs aircraft equipped with specialized instruments to survey extensive areas more quickly and accurately than traditional ground methods. The initiative is set to meaningfully increase the identification of drilling targets across Fiji, with projections of hundreds, if not thousands, of potential sites by December 2025.
This project aligns with broader efforts to improve water accessibility, particularly in rural and underserved communities that have limited or no access to reliable water sources. Previous related initiatives have included plans for constructing boreholes and improving water infrastructure across Fiji. For instance, the Ministry is already working towards completing 1,700 boreholes, a commitment that reflects a continued focus on improving public health and the quality of life for Fijians.
The government’s emphasis on adopting cutting-edge technology and improving data collection efforts not only streamlines the groundwater mapping process but also contributes to community resilience and sustainable resource management. These advanced measures promise to ensure that every Fijian, including those in remote areas, has a better opportunity for reliable access to safe drinking water, supporting both health and economic growth in the nation.
This proactive strategy signals a hopeful outlook for Fiji’s water security and resource management, marking a transformative moment for the country as it works towards a future where access to clean water becomes a universal standard for all its citizens.
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