Fiji Global News

Your Window To Fiji And Beyond.

Water Woes: Will New Projects Finally Quench Fiji’s Thirst?

Spread the love

Residents of Tamavua and Namadi are expressing their frustration over ongoing water supply issues that have become a long-standing problem in the community. Despite experiencing heavy rainfall, the local residents continue to face regular water cuts, with the most recent outage occurring last Saturday.

Many community members have conveyed their dissatisfaction with the explanations provided by the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF), which often cite low water levels or contaminated water as the reasons for the shortages. Long-time resident Epeli Rabua reflected on how the situation has deteriorated over the years, stating, “This never used to happen 15 years ago, but now we sometimes go without water for nearly two weeks.” He lamented the disruptive impact this has on daily life, sometimes causing him to arrive late at work.

Another resident emphasized the financial burden placed on families living in elevated areas, who are forced to invest in tanks and pumps to secure a reliable water supply. Despite their efforts to adapt to the situation, they remain frustrated by inconsistent water cart deliveries.

However, there is a glimmer of hope as the Minister for Public Works, Transport, and Meteorological Services, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, announced that infrastructure projects are currently underway to resolve these persistent issues. The Suva-Nausori corridor is in urgent need, requiring 173 million liters of water daily, which exceeds current supply capabilities.

The Minister discussed the construction of the $40 million Viria Water Treatment Plant, which is expected to provide an additional 40 million liters of water each day, addressing the current shortfall and aiding in supporting future population growth. Furthermore, the Princes Road Water Infrastructure Project is set to enhance water delivery in elevated areas, including Tamavua. This project will introduce a gravity-fed system in place of the existing pumping system to improve water resilience during heavy downpours.

Key aspects of the ongoing projects include a 1.43km gravity pipeline from Sawani Junction to Buresasa Pump Station, a 5.72km rising main pipeline to Colo-i-Suva Reservoir, and two steel tank reservoirs at Colo-i-Suva. With these initiatives, residents hold onto hope that reliable water supply will finally be achieved.

This situation highlights the significant challenges many communities face regarding essential services such as water. Yet, the response from local government officials and ongoing infrastructure projects represent proactive steps toward long-term solutions that prioritize the needs of residents. The anticipation surrounding these improvements brings optimism that the struggles faced will soon be a thing of the past.


Comments

Leave a comment

Latest News

Search the website