Fresh water now readily available on Malake Island

400 villagers of Malake Island will now have access to fresh drinking water after the completion of a 3.5 km underwater pipeline from the Water Authority of Fiji’s pumping station at Rakiraki.

Water Authority CEO Opetaia Ravai said the villagers have faced water difficulties for decades relying mainly on bore holes that often went dry.

He said to ensure proper storage on the island, a 20,000 gallon cement tank has been constructed and three stand-pipes made available as tap water outlets.

The project had started in December last year but water began flowing into the island in February with final work expected to be completed by the end of this month.

The cost of the entire project is $248,000.