Residents of Navua are facing significant water supply challenges as public officials announced they may have to endure nearly three weeks without tap water due to a burst pipe. A leak was discovered in a submerged asbestos cement pipe at the Wainikavika irrigation dam, which is located just outside Navua Town.
The District Officer for Navua, Seremaia Tuiteci, confirmed that the Public Works Department (PWD) had identified a 24-millimeter hole in the damaged pipeline and is seeking permission from the Ministry of Primary Industries to open the dam gates for water release. Mr. Tuiteci indicated that once the pipes are accessible, repair efforts would commence promptly.
In light of the water shortage, local school headteachers have expressed the need for early holidays, particularly Vashist Muni Primary School’s head, Prithi Raj, who had to close the school due to sanitary concerns. The situation has persisted for several days, with residents voicing their frustrations over the lack of water supply and emergency services being mobilized to deliver water via tankers.
To address the ongoing issues, the PWD plans to lay down 1.5 kilometers of galvanized piping, replacing the existing asbestos pipes to enhance the reliability of the water system. Mr. Tuiteci emphasized the importance of using this opportunity to prevent future disruptions by overhauling the pipeline, which has faced challenges as the area’s population has surged from a few hundred in 1954 to nearly 5,000 today.
Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to ensure all residents receive adequate water. Officers from the Navua District Emergency Services Committee are managing emergency water distribution, with eight trucks from the Suva Water Supply currently assisting in delivering water to affected areas. Some families have resorted to using the Navua River for bathing and laundry, while truck deliveries are supplying potable water.
This situation highlights the importance of regular maintenance and updates to infrastructure to accommodate growing populations, ensuring that essential services like water supply meet the needs of residents in Navua and similar communities.
Looking ahead, the repair work presents an opportunity to enhance the system and hopefully provide a more reliable water supply for the future, offering a glimmer of hope for the residents who have been affected.
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