Climate change is significantly impacting water resources in Fiji, a concern raised by Neil Maharaj, the chief executive officer of the Rotary Club, in a recent interview. Maharaj reported that the organization is researching water conditions across 11 provinces and noted that many village water sources established in the last 35 to 40 years are drying up.
“We need to find new sources that can provide more water to address the shortage,” Maharaj stated. He also observed that existing boreholes are yielding less water than before, intensifying the demand for this essential resource.
With climate change leading to flooding and rising sea levels, many older boreholes are not equipped for flood conditions, resulting in contamination from E. coli and saline water. Rising sea levels exacerbate groundwater contamination, particularly affecting communities in low-lying regions.
In villages like Navatau in Cakaudrove, creating effective sanitation systems is becoming increasingly challenging. “Constructing proper sanitation treatment systems like septic tanks is difficult due to the high water table caused by sea level rise,” Maharaj explained.
The elevated groundwater levels hinder the development of adequate wastewater treatment systems, raising public health concerns. Maharaj highlighted how climate change is negatively affecting both the quality and quantity of water resources, complicating access to safe drinking water for many communities.