39.5% of Water Authority of Fiji’s 45 water sources nationwide have reached critical level

As the dry spell continues in the country, 39.5% of the Water Authority of Fiji’s 45 water sources nationwide have reached critical level.

While briefing a government team on the situation, Water Authority Chairman Bhavesh Kumar also revealed that 2.38% of their water sources are yet to reach critical stages, and 58.12% are normal at this stage.

He says mitigation measures such as the construction of temporary coffer dams, water rationing, as well as water carting have been put in place.

Kumar urges members of the public on the importance to practice water conservation by ways of minimizing on the washing of cars, driveways as well as watering of gardens.

Authority’s General Manager Customer Services, Sekove Uluinayau says they have carted over 40 million litres of water to customers affected around the country.

3.5 million litres has been delivered in the Central Division, 22 million litres in the Western Division and 14.5 million in the Northern Division.

Water tanks are also being placed at strategic locations in affected areas to assist with water carting services.

So far, in the Central/Eastern Division, eight of the seventeen water sources have reached its critical levels.

These include  Waimanu Source (Navatuvula), Wailoku Head Works 1, Vago Source (Cascade), Wainikavika Source and Vunidawa Source. The other sources at critical level in the division are in Ovalau.

Five out of the fourteen water sources have reached critical levels in the Western Division while six out of the fourteen water sources have reached critical level in the Northern Division.

The Authority says with the rural water carting schedule in circulation and regularly updated, affected rural communities are to follow the schedule to track their area delivery times and make available empty vessels for refilling.

Meanwhile, metered customers are to store sufficient amounts of water for drinking and cooking purposes for at least two days.

This is due to the aged infrastructure, and planned and unplanned water shutdowns. During these times of repair, customers are requested to store water and this will also assist the Authority in managing its resources efficiently.  

The Authority will also hold similar sessions with its stakeholders such as the Fiji Hotels Association and various municipality town councils around the country, to provide an update on the current situation.

They are also requesting members of the public to report any wastage of water seen in their neighborhood by taking photos and videos and forwarding it to the Authority.

This is to discourage people from wasting water.

CLICK TO ENLARGE [Photo: Fiji Meteorological Services]

The Nadi Weather Office has also confirmed that the past month was exceptionally dry with well below average rainfall registered across the country.

There was no rainfall at all at Lautoka Mill, Rarawai Mill, Tavua, Yaqara and Labasa Airport in August. Furthermore, Nadi Airport, Penang Mill, Keiyasi, Viwa, Yasawa‑i‑Rara, Seaqaqa, Nabouwalu, Matei Airfield, Lakeba and Vanuabalavu recorded less than 10mm of total monthly rainfall.