Qelewaqa residents in Labasa urge WAF to address water issues this Diwali

Residents of Qelewaqa in Labasa are calling on the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) to resolve their water issues for the upcoming Diwali holiday, as they have faced water disruptions almost every year during the celebration, which they find extremely frustrating.

Sunil Narayan told fijivillage News this morning that for many years, the community has experienced frequent water shortages during the festival, turning a time of joy and celebration into one of frustration and inconvenience.

The 51-year-old says Diwali is when families come together, clean their homes, and prepare special meals, but it is difficult to celebrate properly when they don’t have a reliable water supply.

He adds that it is disheartening to see their community struggle with this basic necessity before the celebration, which is just around the corner.

Narayan is urging WAF to take immediate action and ensure a consistent water supply during this year's Diwali.

Responding to the concern raised by the resident, WAF says these disruptions can happen at any time within their water networks.

WAF emphasises that their priority is addressing bursts in water mains, as these can impact service delivery, cause non-revenue water loss, and can lower reservoir levels.

They add that burst mains can contribute to low water pressure and disruptions in service to other metered customers.