A significant planned water disruption is set to affect the Suva-Nausori corridor, starting today and lasting for three days. The Water Authority of Fiji announced that this interruption is necessary for connection works between the Viria water supply and the Waila Water Treatment Plant.
According to Seru Soderberg, WAF’s chief operating officer, the work involves linking a 900-mm pipeline from Viria to one of three pipes that feeds into the Wainibuku reservoir from Waila. This project will reduce the total water flow into Wainibuku from Waila, leaving only 60 percent of the usual supply.
The work commenced at midnight on Thursday, and Soderberg emphasized its importance, citing it as crucial for mitigating “big risks” related to water supply for roughly 40 percent of the population. Residents in the affected areas have been urged to store as much water as possible in preparation for the disruption.
As the community braces for these challenges, concerns about the impact on sanitation, health, businesses, schools, and restaurants are already being raised. The need for careful planning is apparent, with hopes that sufficient water trucks will be deployed to assist those who run out of water during the outage.
During this period, residents are encouraged to conserve water and consider their usage patterns. This disruption, while inconvenient for thousands, serves as a reminder of the importance of effective water management practices and highlights the necessity of investing in water infrastructure in the long term.
While some may express skepticism and frustration regarding the interruption, it also presents an opportunity to advocate for efficient water consumption practices. The hope is that these efforts will ultimately alleviate the ongoing water challenges faced by many residents.