Raiwaqa Footpath Sewage Leak Sparks Health Concerns

Residents of Raiwaqa are expressing serious concerns regarding what they suspect to be a sewage leak that is impacting a public space frequently utilized by families, children, and the elderly. According to reports from locals, the situation has escalated, with unpleasant-smelling wastewater now oozing onto the pathways that community members rely on daily.

Long-time resident Vanavasa Vone described the intolerable conditions, especially when the unpleasant odor drifts toward nearby homes. “I would just be at home and the smell starts drifting towards our house when the wind blows,” Vone said.

In an effort to address the issue, Vone has taken the initiative to dig around the affected area during times of high water levels, having identified what he believes to be leaking sewage. “I always wondered why, then I noticed that the sewage was leaking, so I dig it out every time to see the water rising, because we’re breathing the same air that comes from there, and it can affect our health,” he explained.

Maryann Wright, an 89-year-old resident who has lived in the area since the low-cost housing was established, echoed these sentiments. She remarked that the problem, particularly along the footpath leading to Bryce Street, has progressively worsened throughout the years. “We’ve had a big problem here on the footpath, from the footpath that goes down from here to Bryce Street. The water has just been seeping out from the pavement, but now it’s gotten worse,” Wright stated.

The community is calling on authorities to take immediate action to inspect the situation, emphasizing that residents should not have to endure walking through what they believe to be sewage while being concerned for their health. FBC News has reached out to the Ministry of Environment and the Suva City Council, and a response is anticipated.

This situation highlights the importance of maintaining public health standards and infrastructure, as well as the need for timely responses from relevant authorities to ensure the wellbeing of the community.