Residents of Suva are being warned to prepare for potential disruptions in their water supply. The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) has announced that five out of the six raw water sources feeding the Tamavua Treatment Plant are nearing critical levels due to the approaching dry season.
According to Samuela Rokolaveusa, WAF’s regional operations manager, the Savura Intake and Headwork Three have already reached critical points, while Headwork One, Headwork Two, and the Waimanu Pump Station are also close to critical levels. The only main raw water source currently functioning normally is the cascade source.
Rokolaveusa indicated that during this time, areas relying on the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant might experience intermittent supply, as WAF operations depend on the level of treated water produced. He noted that recent low rainfall has contributed to reduced treated water production and declining reservoir levels at Tamavua.
Furthermore, long-term weather forecasts for the next three months do not suggest favorable conditions, with few signs of increased rainfall across most regions of Fiji. Rokolaveusa explained that the drop in raw water availability directly affects water production efforts, which results in reduced reservoir levels. This situation will likely prolong the restoration of a continuous water supply to higher areas serviced by the Tamavua system.
The WAF hydrology team is closely monitoring the situation at the main raw water sources. WAF has urged its customers to conserve water and to stockpile enough water to last their households for at least two days.