Climate change is significantly impacting water resources in Fiji, a concern raised by Neil Maharaj, the chief executive officer of the Rotary Club, during a recent interview. He stated that the organization is conducting research across 11 provinces to evaluate the current water situation.
Maharaj noted that many water sources established in villages over the last 35 to 40 years are now drying up. He emphasized the need for new sources with higher water yields to address these issues. “Boreholes are yielding less water than before,” he explained, highlighting that the demand for water remains high since it is a basic necessity. In response to challenges, communities are actively investigating the root causes of the water scarcity.
The issues are compounded by climate change, leading to increased flooding and rising sea levels. Maharaj pointed out that many older boreholes lack flood-proofing, resulting in contamination from E coli and saline water. This contamination is directly linked to rising sea levels, which create further difficulties for communities, particularly those in low-lying areas.
In villages like Navatau in Cakaudrove, establishing effective sanitation systems is increasingly challenging. Maharaj explained that high water tables due to sea level rise hinder the construction of proper sanitation treatment systems, such as septic tanks. “When you try to build a proper treatment system, the high water table from sea level rise interferes,” he said, noting the impact on both the quality and quantity of water available.
These elevated groundwater levels impede the development of adequate wastewater treatment systems, heightening public health concerns. He underscored the compounded effect of climate change on water resources, stating that these challenges make access to safe drinking water more complicated.