800 Fijians now have consistent water supply after Lautoka reservoir is recommissioned

The Water Authority of Fiji says around 800 Fijians living in the elevated parts of Balawa and Saweni Beach Road in Lautoka now have a consistent water supply after they recommissioned the DMO reservoir at a cost of around $22,447.

A team of skilled WAF grounds team carried out valve replacement and refurbishment works at the reservoir, as well as pressure tests to ensure all residents get sufficient supply.

The Water Authority of Fiji says its main objective of recommissioning the DMO reservoir was to solve the challenge of ongoing low reservoir levels at the Saru reservoir due to the increase in demand which resulted in no water supply to Fijians in elevated areas.

It says the DMO reservoir now provides a reliable and consistent supply of water to the residents living in Morris Street - Balawa, Natokawaqa, and Drasa Avenue with the extension of supply from the DMO reservoir taking off some load on the area that was normally fed off the Vuda and Saru Reservoir.

The Water Authority of Fiji further says the few elevated areas that fed off these two reservoirs and were normally experiencing low pressure and intermittent supply during peak hours are now getting 24/7 supply.

This includes Saweni, Viseisei, Field 40, Viseisei back Road elevated area, Wairabetia Muslim School Road, Natabua AOG, Tawatawa/Captain Withers Street as well as elevated areas in Banaras.

Saweni Beach Road Resident Rajesh Lal says he is a happy man as before they woke up at around 4 am to start washing their clothes and filling up water since they do not get any water during the day.

He says this has been happening for about 9 years but he is thankful that WAF has changed our lives.

The DMO reservoir has a capacity of 1.14 megalitres and was built in the 1970s during the days of the then Public Works Department and was named after the Divisional Medical Officer who lived in the area.