One hundred and thirty-nine households of the Waidradra and Nadranu Settlements in Ba, Viti Levu, now have access to piped drinking water after the completion of their Rural Water Project.
Chairman for the Waidradra and Nadranu Water Committee, Joji Degei, 35, said he was grateful to the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) for undertaking the $189,000 project water project.
The project included the laying of 305 lengths of 75mm galvanized pipes, the laying of 10 coils of ½-inch polythene pipes and 145 lengths of ½-inch PVC pipes in trenches. The work also entailed the repair of the existing dam wall and the installation of a new 150mm outlet, as well as the construction of a 45,460-litre ferro-cement water tank.
Skilled WAF workmen installed fittings such as tees, valves and washouts, as well as the service connections that supply water to consumers through the installation of twenty-nine in-house connections.
“We are very thankful that this water project has come to our place and this is the first time ever for us to have taps; we have never had taps in our lives,” said Mr Degei.
He said that prior the implementation of the project, women and children had to fetch water from a nearby river or from a distant borehole.
“The villagers used to fetch water from the river and the people of Nadranu used to fetch water from a borehole, which is located very far away from their houses, and they used horses to get their water,” said Mr Degei.
WAF Chief Operating Officer, Mr Samanmal Ekanayake, said that the people of Waidradra and Nadranu had assisted the WAF crew members in undertaking the project.
“This empowers the Water Committee to be responsible for ongoing maintenance and repairs, thus ensuring the longevity and sustainability of their village water supply system.
For this project, the village water committee will receive $6,100 as payment for the village assistance provided,” said Mr Ekanayake.
Mr Ekanayake said the villagers now enjoy a consistent supply of water that should withstand dry seasons, and an improved, water system performance.
Mr Ekanayake said WAF would continue to implement works that ensure Fijians have access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation.