One hundred and twenty villagers of Malabe Village in Wainibuka, Tailevu, now have access to piped drinking water after the completion of their Rural Water Project.
The $100,000 water project included the upgrading of the existing dam, the installation of a two-inch strainer and a two-inch outlet valve, the replacement of the galvanized, two-inch water main with PVC pipes from the dam to the reservoir, and the construction of a 10,000gallon ferro-cement water tank.
The water project also saw the extension of the thirty-two-inch water main to new settlers in the village.
Skilled WAF workmen constructed new standpipes and showers, as well as upgrading and repairing those already existing in the village.
The completed water project has improved conditions for the villagers, as, over the years, they have been drinking water from a system that has had an intermittent supply of water due to leakages in the dam and in the pipeline from the dam to the reservoir, and leakages to the reticulation main in the village.
The villagers were drinking directly from the dam and there was no storage tank for water, and they often resorted to using the Wainibuka River for bathing and washing.
WAF Chief Operating Officer, Mr Samanmal Ekanayake, said that the people of Malabe 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 received $1,640 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.