Quick field assessments by the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) has helped identify a potential major fault to its 900-millimeter high-pressure pipeline which transports raw water from the Vaturu Dam to the Nagado Water Treatment Plant.
This is after a landslide along Qaunakuka leading up to Vaturu exposed the major pipeline. WAF says if the high-pressure pipeline had collapsed or was washed away, it would have caused major supply disruptions to Nadi and Lautoka.
A team of WAF engineers have since been dispatched to carry out urgent remedial works to the exposed pipeline.
Meanwhile, rehabilitation work has also started at the Savalau Crossing as well as the Lidilidi Creek Crossing, both leading up to Vaturu which only yesterday was heavily inundated by raging flood waters in the area.
WAF’s Regional Manager in the Western Division, Mr Romulusi Mataitoga says they continue to work closely with the Fiji Roads Authority to coordinate safe access into the Vaturu Dam and surrounding areas.
He adds with WAF field assessments still ongoing, they are likely to discover more damage to key assets upstream.
Mr Mataitoga adds in the meantime, WAF remains committed to restoring and providing clean and safe drinking water to affected customers in the Western Division as quickly as possible.