Nearly 200,000 residents in the Suva-Nausori corridor will face water disruptions starting at midnight tonight and lasting until Sunday due to scheduled maintenance by the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF).
In preparation, the ministries of health and education are taking steps to ensure that essential services remain uninterrupted. Aseri Radrodro, the Minister for Education, indicated that he would be meeting with WAF officials to discuss water supply solutions for affected schools. “After the meeting, we will issue a statement and provide schools with coping mechanisms,” Radrodro stated, emphasizing that closing schools would be a last resort.
On a similar note, Minister for Health Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu assured the public that measures are in place to maintain medical service continuity. “We are aware of the water disruptions this weekend,” he affirmed, noting that the health sector has prepared plans with medical facilities, including the CWM Hospital, to ensure consistent service delivery.
WAF has advised residents to store enough water for three days and has indicated that water carting services will be available to meet any urgent needs.
WAF’s Chief Operating Officer Seru Soderberg explained that the maintenance work is vital for connecting a new DN900mm gravity main from the Waitolu reservoir to the existing DN600mm Rising Main from the Waila water treatment plant, responsible for supplying the Wainibuku reservoir. He clarified that only one of three pipelines to the Wainibuku reservoir will be offline, which will reduce water flow to 60% of normal capacity.
Soderberg acknowledged the challenges of conducting the work in difficult terrain with a high-water table. He noted that the 600mm pipeline would be shut down at midnight Thursday for de-watering before work begins early Friday morning. He expressed regret for the inconvenience but highlighted the importance of this work to avert future problems. “We apologize for any inconvenience caused and assure the public that we have streamlined the process to complete the work as swiftly as possible, weather permitting,” he added.
Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and follow WAF’s media channels for updates on the situation.