The government is ramping up initiatives to resolve ongoing water supply issues affecting Suva, with a dual focus on immediate relief and sustainable long-term solutions. Public Works Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau announced that the Water Authority of Fiji has implemented measures including the installation of two additional pumps at the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant. This enhancement is anticipated to significantly increase the water output to the reservoirs serving Suva, Lami, and adjacent areas.
Plans are also underway for a new 20-megalitre compact water treatment facility, which, if approved, will further expand the capacity of the existing plant, thereby easing the burden on the current infrastructure. This initiative follows similar successful projects in Nabouwalu and other parts of Fiji, designed to alleviate pressure on water supply systems.
Ro Filipe noted, “That will add to the capacity for the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant which will further alleviate the issues here.” One of the major developments in the pipeline is the Sawani to Colo-i-Suva upgrade. Having passed the tender process, construction is set to commence in April and will span 12 months. This upgrade will introduce new pipelines, pumping stations, and reservoir enhancements aimed at improving access to water in high-demand areas.
WAF Acting Executive Seru Soderberg emphasized the need for the Tamavua plant to function at peak capacity consistently, addressing ongoing treatment inefficiencies exacerbated by increasing turbidity levels, which have frequently disrupted services. “While we address these treatment inefficiencies temporarily, we are also preparing for the significant investment in the new 20-megalitre water treatment plant,” he explained.
In the wake of persistent water disruptions—despite abundant rainfall—residents have expressed frustration, stating that recent outages contradict explanations provided by authorities regarding low water levels or contamination. In light of these grievances, ongoing infrastructure projects are viewed as a beacon of hope for residents of Tamavua, Tacirua, and surrounding communities, who have long awaited a resolution to their water supply struggles.
With population demands rising in the Suva-Nausori corridor, now requiring 173 million liters of water daily, the construction of the $40 million Viria Water Treatment Plant, expected to provide an additional 40 million liters per day, will be crucial in bridging the supply gap. Alongside this, the Princes Road Water Infrastructure Project aims to replace current systems with a gravity-fed mechanism to enhance service reliability, particularly during high turbidity events.
The combined efforts of local officials and these proactive infrastructure enhancements reflect a commitment to recognizing and addressing the pressing water supply challenges faced by the community. As these projects develop, there is growing optimism that these longstanding issues will soon be resolved, fostering a more secure and resilient water supply for the people of Suva.
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