Moturiki Water Project to get $1.8 million upgrade to stabilise supply
An additional 1.8 million dollars has been allocated for improvements to the Moturiki Water Project, with works planned to begin next month. Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) chief executive Seru Soderberg confirmed this in response to a recent article noting that, despite the 2022 commissioning of the Moturiki project at about $3.2 million, ten villages on the island still faced interruptions to a consistent and clean water supply.
Historically, villagers have had to make numerous trips by boat and on foot from Moturiki to Navuloa Village on Ovalau to repair and replace damaged pipes in an effort to keep water flowing to island communities. As a consequence, some villages have experienced outright supply interruptions, driving residents to sources such as wells and water tanks.
WAF’s investigations point to a primary fault in a vulnerable 4.6-kilometre section of the water pipeline between Navuloa and Wainaloka. This stretch runs through a low-lying area that experiences high operating pressure and frequent pressure surges, which over time have caused repeated bursts and an unreliable supply for Moturiki.
The forthcoming works will replace the 4.6 kilometres of pipeline with high-pressure-rated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, service and reactivate break pressure tanks, and install additional control mechanisms to stabilise the system. Construction is expected to commence in mid-September, with mobilisation of equipment and materials to Moturiki and Ovalau in early September.
Soderberg noted that while the exact maintenance cost is still being collated, the repairs carried out to date have involved modest direct costs. However, the frequency of disruptions and the resulting community inconvenience have warranted a full-scale technical rectification. As part of the upgrade, WAF has expanded its list of preferred suppliers to include quality-assured HDPE fittings. All future rural water projects will undergo rigorous material assessments as part of Water Safety Management Plans.
In addressing the broader challenges, Soderberg said inadequate pressure-control infrastructure, a lack of key components to absorb pressure surges, and incomplete community engagement during the original rollout were issues the project aims to remedy through engineering upgrades and closer collaboration with local leaders. “This project is more than an infrastructure fix — it’s about restoring trust in basic public services,” he stressed.
A formal brief outlining the technical issues and the planned works has been submitted to the Minister for Infrastructure, Ro Filipe Tuisawau. Regular updates will be provided as works commence to ensure alignment with government oversight.
What this means for Moturiki and Fiji’s water future
– The Moturiki upgrade targets a specific fault line that has repeatedly disrupted supply, aiming to deliver a more reliable and resilient service for all ten communities on the island.
– The shift to HDPE pipes and enhanced control measures is expected to reduce bursts from pressure surges and improve overall system stability.
– The move reflects a broader national effort to modernise water infrastructure and strengthen service delivery across Fiji, combining technical upgrades with better project oversight and community involvement.
– Residents can look forward to steadier access to clean water and a restored sense of reliability in a fundamental public service.
Summary
An extra 1.8 million dollars is earmarked to fix a problematic 4.6-kilometre section of Moturiki’s water network, replacing it with HDPE pipes and upgrading control assets to stabilise pressure and reduce bursts. Construction is slated to begin mid-September, with ongoing oversight from government and WAF to ensure durable, safer water delivery for Moturiki’s villages.
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