As the Minister responsible for the Water Authority of Fiji, I am asking all Fijians to use water carefully and deliberately as we move through the dry season. The Fiji Meteorological Service advises that El Niño conditions are underway and that rainfall is likely to remain below normal through to the end of the year, with the driest period expected between October and December.
I want to assure the public that water supply is continuing across most Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) systems nationally. However, WAF’s dry-weather contingency plans have been activated across all three regions, and teams are working on the ground each day to hold supply steady as dry weather continues.
WAF operates Fiji’s urban and peri-urban water supply systems, and gauges 44 main operational water sources nationwide. As expected in dry weather, most are yielding less than the volume their treatment plants need to run at normal output on their own, and are being supported through supplementary pumping, managed flows and other contingency measures. We as a nation have to be ready for drastic measures as the dry weather continues.
What Is Being Done
I have been briefed by WAF on the work already underway. Across all three regions, WAF is supplementing stressed sources through additional pumping and temporary pump stations, carrying out works at pump sites so that pumping can continue at low water levels, stepping up source monitoring to weekly for sources under stress, managing pressure and pumping schedules, accelerating repair of leaks and burst mains, and deploying water carting where it is needed. Work is also continuing on rehabilitation of intakes, development of additional sources, and longer-term drought resilience.
Some of these measures will be noticeable to the public. Valve operations, pressure management and the rebalancing of flows between systems can result in lower water pressure, or in supply becoming intermittent in some areas at certain times of the day. Where this occurs, I ask for the public’s understanding. These are deliberate and necessary steps that allow reservoirs and trunk mains to recover, and they are what enable WAF to keep water available to as many Fijians as possible, and for as long as possible, under the operating conditions this dry spell has created.
WAF is working closely with the Fiji Meteorological Service and other agencies so that the response can be scaled as conditions evolve.
What I Ask of the Public
For most of the country, water is flowing as normal. Small, sensible changes now will help stretch available supply through the months ahead:
- Use water for essential purposes. Avoid washing vehicles, footpaths and driveways with a running hose, filling swimming pools, or excessive garden watering, particularly during peak demand between 6.00am–9.00am and 5.00pm–8.00pm.
- Repair and report leaks without delay. A leaking tap, toilet or household pipe wastes significant volumes of treated water. Visible leaks, burst mains or suspected illegal connections on the WAF network should be reported immediately.
- Reduce consumption wherever you can. Shorter showers, turning off taps while brushing teeth or washing dishes, using buckets instead of hoses, and full washing machine loads all add up.
- Large water users should put conservation plans in place. Hotels, resorts, commercial establishments, industries and institutions are asked to review consumption and implement practical efficiency measures, including leak detection, water reuse where appropriate, and reduced lawn watering.
- The public should follow WAF’s website and Facebook page for the latest information and store water when advised.
- Remain alert for further advice from WAF, Fiji Met Services and National Disaster Management Office as the dry weather situation continues.
I have asked WAF to provide my office with regular public updates on water source conditions, and to give advance notice through its official channels wherever a change to supply is expected in any area.
I thank all Fijians in advance for their cooperation. Every litre conserved today helps ensure that water remains available to households, businesses, schools, hospitals and communities throughout this dry period.
To report leaks or for water supply enquiries, contact the WAF National Contact Centre on 5777 or (679) 334 6777, available 24 hours.