With the cyclone forecast and the flood damage that disrupted water delivery in much of Fiji last week, the Water Authority of Fiji is asking customers to store and boil water.
The Authority’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr Samanmal Ekanayake said that adverse weather conditions that continue to plague the country have resulted in clogging of water intakes, burst mains, as well was water treatment problems due to extremely high turbidity levels as well as power supply issues that are affecting its systems.
“The Authority is encouraging its customers to be proactive by ensuring that they have an adequate supply of stored water to cover their needs during the inclement weather, and just as importantly to boil their water,” said Mr Ekanayake.
WAF has advised not to forget about rain harvesting as a significant source of water.
While the Authority works to address the many challenges faced through the floods, it has made good progress in repairing damaged infrastructure.
The following is an updated report of that progress as of 4 p.m, April 8
Water production in Rakiraki, Tavua, Nadi and Sigatoka is almost back to normal with causes of major disruptions addressed.
While Lautoka is at 60%, Ba is back to 70% of normal production, an increase of 10% from last night and Labasa is presently at 40%, as Water Authority of Fiji teams work around the clock to restore damaged infrastructure caused by major flooding during the week.
Lautoka’s Buabua reservoir has suffered pipeline damage to its intakes and that has restricted full resumption of water delivery that now stands at 60% but is expected to soon return to normal.
In Ba, hardest hit by the floods, two pumping stations that had been put out of operation have been restored and one of three gravity dams damaged is now reopened. Water carting services continue.
Labasa continues to face damaging rainfall since last night as well as flooding that has affected repairs to two water mains that normally span the Dogoru River, feeding the Benau Reservoir.
Because of the major disruption, the water level at Benau is critically low, which has resulted in extensive water carting to Labasa residents which is fed from Seaqaqa Depot.