Residents of Navua are facing significant challenges as over 4,000 individuals may be without tap water for a minimum of three weeks due to a burst main. The Public Works Department has identified a substantial 24-millimetre leak in an asbestos cement pipe submerged under 1.8 metres of water at the Wainikavika irrigation dam.
District Officer for Navua, Seremaia Tuiteci, has reached out to the Ministry of Primary Industries to ask if the dam gates can be opened to release some of the three million cubic metres of water stored in the dam. Mr. Tuiteci assured the community that repairs would commence as soon as the damaged pipes are accessible.
In the meantime, local headteachers have indicated that if the water supply is not restored within a week, students may have to begin their holidays earlier than planned. With the closure of Vashist Muni Primary School for sanitary reasons, many families are already feeling the strain of the ongoing water shortage.
Although residents have been without water for a few days, Mr. Tuiteci noted that repair efforts may take up to three weeks. However, he expressed a commitment to use this situation as an opportunity to address the aging pipeline in Navua comprehensively, replacing the asbestos cement pipes with more durable six-inch galvanised pipes.
Residents have voiced their frustrations, noting that the water issue might have been avoided with better maintenance practices given that the tap water system was introduced in 1954, when the population was significantly lower. The population has since risen to nearly 5,000, outpacing the infrastructure’s capabilities.
In response to the emergency, the Navua District Emergency Services Committee will oversee the distribution of water using road tankers, aiming to ensure that all residents have access to water equitably. Eight trucks from the Suva Water Supply have already begun transporting water, and temporary measures are in place, with many families resorting to the nearby river for washing and bathing until the situation improves.
This incident highlights the importance of proactive infrastructure maintenance and investment in community resources to meet growing demands. While the immediate concerns are significant, this could lead to long-term improvements in water supply systems to better serve the Navua population.
In conclusion, while the current situation poses challenges for the residents of Navua, local authorities are taking steps to address the issues, which may ultimately enhance the resilience of the water supply system. There is a hopeful outlook that these repairs will pave the way for a more robust infrastructure better equipped to serve the community’s needs in the future.
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