Residents of Vatudova, located near Labasa, are urgently appealing to the government to address a persistent water crisis that has lasted for 50 years, severely impacting the daily lives of the community. According to villager Masilina Ratawa, families have been relying on aging boreholes and nearby creeks to meet their water needs, with no reliable access to piped water supplies.
Ratawa expressed her frustration, stating, “For the past 50 years, water has been a problem here in Vatudova. We depended on a well, but it dried up. Now we use a borehole, but during the dry season, we must collect rainwater or use carted water. Currently, there’s no water at all.”
Repeated requests for assistance have gone largely unanswered, leading the villagers to rely on temporary solutions such as water carting. Although the Ministry of Health has installed a water filtration system to help combat waterborne illnesses, its reliability is still in question. Another villager, Setareki Gata, shared that the situation worsens during the cane crushing season when their small community reservoir runs dry by midday, forcing residents to bathe in a muddy nearby river.
In response to the community’s long-standing issues, the government has announced plans for significant upgrades to water infrastructure in the area. This includes a proposed 19-kilometer water main extension from Wailevu to Tabia, a new water pump station, and the construction of a 2-megaliter reservoir in Vatudova. These upgrades aim to enhance the water supply to the region, providing hope for residents who have faced this ongoing struggle.
This situation echoes similar challenges faced in areas like Tamavua and Namadi, where residents have experienced persistent water supply issues for years despite recent heavy rainfall. Community members have expressed their frustrations with explanations from the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) regarding low water levels and contamination, yet infrastructure developments, including the $40 million Viria Water Treatment Plant, promise to alleviate these concerns by adding vital capacity to meet the population’s needs.
The response from local authorities reveals that steps are being taken to improve water supply reliability across multiple regions, instilling optimism for communities facing similar challenges. As the government commits to infrastructure improvements, there is hope for a brighter future where access to clean water becomes a reality for all affected residents.
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