Residents of smaller towns in Fiji, including Tavua, Rakiraki, and Ba, are facing ongoing struggles with water supply due to aging infrastructure and unreliable delivery systems. While recent efforts have focused primarily on upgrading water systems in major urban centers like Suva, the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) is now turning its attention to enhance service in these underserved municipalities.
Water Authority Chief Executive Seru Soderberg acknowledged the pressing challenges and stated that several improvement plans are already in motion. He emphasized the importance of these projects for the coming financial years, indicating that detailed designs are being developed to fail communities’ needs. “The issues raised in Tavua and Ba are part of our plans for this financial year and the next,” Soderberg affirmed, expressing hope that the infrastructure updates will ultimately alleviate the hardships that residents have endured.
Currently, many residents rely on boreholes and other makeshift solutions while contending with intermittent water supplies. Minister for Infrastructure, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, urged the public to understand the complexities involved in water management, particularly during recent drought conditions which have exacerbated supply cuts. He explained that water cut-offs, particularly during nighttime, are implemented to allow reservoirs to refill.
Despite general frustrations due to ongoing water shortages, the government is implementing improvements across the region, with plans for enhanced infrastructure poised to transform service reliability. In parts of the Suva-Nausori corridor, where demand often exceeds current supply capacity, authorities are making strides through projects like the $40 million Viria Water Treatment Plant, designed to increase daily water availability while supporting future growth.
The ongoing infrastructures upgrades signal a positive change for residents who have faced persistent water supply challenges. As improvements continue, there is hope that reliable access to clean water will soon be the norm for communities throughout Fiji, paving the way for a more stable and prosperous future for all affected residents.