Navua Hospital has been experiencing a water shortage for three days. Sub Divisional Medical Officer (SDMO) Navua, Dr. Kapil Swamy, confirmed that the issue has persisted since Monday, but the hospital has provided bottled drinking water and bathing water to patients. Felichya Kayes, secretary of the Navua Hospital Board of Directors, mentioned that the water problem has affected not only the hospital but also local hotels and businesses for months.
To address the issue, the hospital is collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MOHMS) to ensure water supply for patients and staff. The ministry noted that water trucks visited the hospital yesterday to fill two 10,000-litre tanks with water.
Local resident Ramesh Prasad expressed concerns about the ongoing water supply issues, stating that it has been “poor” for months and many residents are relying on water tanks. He emphasized the critical importance of water, lamenting the situation and hoping for improvement.
The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) confirmed that the water supply in the greater Navua area has been intermittent. The latest update revealed that water production from the Wainikavika raw water source is below critical levels due to high demand. WAF’s acting chief operating officer, Samuela Rokovaleusa, indicated that the authority had to implement water rationing through carting services to ensure equitable distribution among customers.
WAF’s Navua water production supervisor, Kameli Ledua, highlighted a drought as the primary cause of the water shortage, affecting the Wainikavika dam. He expressed hope for substantial rainfall in the coming days to replenish the dam’s water levels. In the meantime, he advised the community to use water wisely as they navigate this challenging period.