MEDIA UPDATE
Re: WAF Situation Report No. 1 as at 14:00 Hours, 17 December 2020 – TC Yasa
This situation report entails the status of the Water Authority of Fiji’s assets around the country in light of Tropical Cyclone Yasa:
- WAF is working around the clock to provide consistent water supply to all Fijians.
- WAF operations team will be carrying out necessary valve operations before TC Yasa making landfall tonight so as to ensure our reservoirs are full as possible prior to the arrival of the cyclone, and is to ensure the safety of staff. Customers should expect disruptions in water supply.
- Repairs will be carried out and water supply will be normalized once the floodwaters subside to allow WAF ground teams to safely access the affected areas.
- Water restoration operations will depend on weather conditions.
- Members of the public are requested to store and boil all drinking water.
- WAF continues to inform customers on water disruptions through SMS text messages, WAF website www.waterauthority.com.fj and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WaterAuthorityofFiji/
- Water carting trucks are on standby to service the affected areas, weather and road conditions permitting, as and when the need arises.
- We wish to advise all our valued customers that due to the current adverse weather conditions, all our Customer Services Centres are closed. All Centres will remain closed until further notice.
- Please also understand that road conditions will be affected by TC Yasa and as such there will be times and circumstances when water cart services will not be able to be undertaken until the roads are made safe to travel.
- The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) requests members of the public that require water carting services, to please contact the National Call Centre on 334 6777 or 5777 or via the toll-free line 1507 as well as 1508 for customers in the Northern Division.
Vinaka and stay safe
WAF
Status of water supply around Fiji are as follows:
CENTRAL / EASTERN DIVISION
All major water treatment plants such as Tamavua and Waila continue to operate, for now.
The Suva Nausori Water Supply System is currently sitting at 90% service due to a couple of events that caused low reservoir levels which in turn put people out of water supply from the morning of the 16 December 2020.
On Tuesday night raw water quality being received at the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant from its Savura and Waimanu Raw Water Pumping Station started to experience an increase of turbidity levels from these two sources.
Normal Turbidity levels at Tamavua in good weather normally sits around 3 – 4 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units). With the current adverse weather conditions, this increased to 60 – 70 NTU.
However, NTU Levels received at the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant is more than 180 NTU which drastically reduced Production at the Tamavua Water Treatment from the 68MLD to 55MLD. Tamavua Water Treatment is still experiencing high turbidity levels.
This reduction in production levels resulted in the reservoir level dropping below the critical level of 1.8m. With reservoir levels below 1.8m customers living in the Upper Samabula Area from Moala Street to Loa Street to Namadi Heights, Upper Ragg experienced no water supply from yesterday morning (16/12).
Meanwhile, a major burst main occurred on the Tovata Reservoir feed zone at Naveiwakau. The trunk 200mm main ruptured on the early morning hours (between 3 am to 4 am) of Tuesday (15/12) and drained the Tovata Reservoir Levels from 2.5m to 0.4m. This caused water disruptions within the Tovata Feed zone from Naveiwakau to Sakoca, Tacirua Heights, Savutalele, Coloisuva and Upper Ragg. The burst main was repaired by yesterday afternoon (16/12).
As of this morning (17/12), customers within the Tovata feed zone have received normal supply along with customers in Sakoca, Tacirua Heights, Savutalele, Uluibeka, Coloisuva, Upper Ragg and Tamavua village. Flushing works will continue today to improve pressures.
Water supply is currently disrupted to Fijians in Deuba and Navua as the raw-water intakes are heavily blocked due to the ongoing heavy rainfall being experienced since yesterday (16/12). Water carting trucks have been deployed to service affected Fijians.
WESTERN DIVISION
All major water treatment plants in the Western Division continue to operate as normal, for now.
Keyasi Water Supply System
The raw water intake pump had malfunctioned yesterday afternoon (16/12). Efforts to repair the raw water pump were unsuccessful due to heavy rain and flooding. The communities have been advised and water carting is being arranged for customers in the area.
Buabua Water Supply System
The Nalau raw water intake encountered blockages last night (16/12). WAF team has been deployed to carry out remedial works. Instructions have also been given not to proceed if the wind and rain intensifies.
NORTHERN DIVISION
WAF urges Fijians in Savusavu and Nabouwalu to store sufficient amounts of water as soon as possible, as the raw water intakes are likely to encounter high turbidity levels due to the continuous heavy rainfall which will force WAF to completely shut down the water supply system until water quality improves.
Water carting trucks will be deployed to service the affected areas, weather permitting.
Meanwhile, Fijians in the Northern Division can contact WAF North Call Centre on 1508 for enquiries.