Over 100,000 people benefit from Free Water Program

Close to 114,000 people are benefitting from the government’s Free Water Program and this number is expected to grow next year.

Finance Minister, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum had highlighted in the 2015  budget announcement that government will provide 91,250 litres of water free of charge per year from this year to Fijian households earning less than a total annual income of $30,000.

There was a $99 million increase to the Water Authority budget for this year and a record budget of $239 million was allocated to the Water Authority.

The Water Authority of Fiji has approved 22,868 applications for the free water program while it is currently working on over 300 applications.

Meanwhile, the authority is looking at reviewing it’s legislation exploring the idea of having a monthly billing system. It has also confirmed that a new validation system is in place which will trigger out all discrepancies in the water billing system.

Furthermore, the Authority has replaced over 7,000 water meters throughout the country.

The Authority says they target to replace 55,000 water meters this year which includes 20,000 in Suva, Nausori, Nadi and Lautoka.

A number of other projects are also underway around the country which includes improvement and upgrade of waste water distribution system, water source and water treatment plants.