The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) is working around the clock to get water supply normalized to residents in the elevated parts of Nasinu and parts of Tamavua in the Central Division.
Earlier last week, Tuesday (26/03) a 600mm trunk main was reported to have been dislocated resulting in a major leakage along the access road between the Waila Water Treatment Plant and the Wainibuku Reservoir, this water trunk main transports clean and treated water to the Wainibuku Reservoir, which then feeds the other service reservoirs.
Due to unfavourable weather conditions and soggy ground conditions, WAF crew members were unable to conduct repairs immediately.
WAF crew members were only able to isolate the leaking trunk main and allow two out of the three water trunk mains (450mm and 600mm) to transport clean water from the Waila WTP to the Wainibuku Reservoir to carter for the demand.
Water supply restoration was initially set for Friday (29/03) morning at 6 am which was further extended to Sunday (31/03) at 6 am and was further extended to Monday morning (01/04) at 6 am.
Meanwhile, simultaneously an experienced operations team were tasked yesterday (31/03) to conduct urgent repairs to the dislocated leaking 600mm trunk main as the ground conditions had slightly improved and this had also impacted the supply of water to many customers.
“Three full lengths of pipes (18 meters) were removed and re-laid to the appropriate level to match with the existing pipeline. Two lengths were laid normally at first while the socket end of the third had to be removed to allow one joiner to fit and connect both ends of the pipeline. Proper backfilling and compaction is currently on-going to prevent any possible movement of the pipes as the soil condition is boggy. The pipeline will be ready for commissioning later today after proper backfilling and compaction works have been completed,” WAF General Manager Customer Services and Acting General Manager Operations, Mr Sekove Uluinayau explained.
WAF is currently in the process of re-charging the trunk main (build-up pressure), once this is completed, water supply is expected to be normalized.
During this unplanned temporary water disruption period, water carting trucks were deployed to cart water to affected areas.
The Authority sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience caused to its valued customers.