Many families in Khalsa Road, Suva, are urging the Government to address ongoing water shortages that have persisted for approximately two years. Residents report that the situation has deteriorated further this year, with no apparent actions taken to resolve the issue.
Titilia Kete, a 59-year-old resident of Naidiri Settlement for nearly three decades, expressed the significant impact of this problem on their daily lives. “Since Friday, we haven’t had any water,” she shared. “We adults are managing somehow, but it’s extremely challenging to send our children to school. Our laundry has piled up, the toilets are unpleasant, and it’s affecting our health as well. Earlier this week, our children were experiencing digestive issues.”
Kete mentioned that eleven people live in her household, and they have been forced to forgo showers. “We need to conserve water for drinking, cooking, and using the bathroom,” she explained.
Another resident, 55-year-old Timaima Vosataki, echoed Kete’s concerns. “I’m especially worried about our children’s health,” she said, adding that they are eagerly awaiting the restoration of water supply to tackle their accumulating laundry and household chores.
Nisha, aged 53, revealed that her children missed school due to the water issues, stating, “Their clothes are filthy, and we haven’t been able to wash them. Water only comes early in the morning when everyone is asleep. Who will wake up that early to wash?”
She noted that they are relying heavily on rainwater. “Even that is nearly gone. What little we have left is reserved for cooking. I don’t know how we’ll manage to shower.”
In response to the situation, the Water Authority of Fiji advised residents on Wednesday to stockpile enough water for at least two to three days while it is available. The Authority also stated that it would monitor the situation closely and take necessary precautions to minimize the impact on residents.