Over two hundred villagers of Wainibuku Top Settlement at nine miles, Nasinu, will soon have access to piped water after the completion of main water extension works by the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF).
The $632,750.00 water project involves the extension of water pipes to the settlement with the installation of 1.2km of PVC pipes, a booster pump and an elevated tank structure to cater for a 25000litre tank. Work began on the 23rd of April this year and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Wainibuku Top Settlement resident, Ajit Singh, 46, said he was grateful to WAF for undertaking the main extension project.
Mr Singh said, “We have been facing water problems for so many years, as a farmer it has been really difficult for me”.
Another Wainibuku Settlement resident, 54-year-old, Seremaia Bati, said, “We have been facing a lot of hardships in terms of water. In the past, we used to walk long distances to fetch water from a well. Whoever fetched water first usually got the fresh clean share of water, and the ones that came after would have to take the murky water.”
This well dries up during dry seasons, and people then have to walk two kilometres to the road to collect water.
“I am thankful to the Government of the day for allowing this project to take place and making this project a reality. We have school children and many others that will benefit from this project, we are really grateful,” said Seremaia Bati.
“We are overjoyed as we can see the water pipes are being laid along the road. This is a big relief to us, it will make life easier for us, especially for the school children, for us making our meals and other chores, we are really thankful to the Water Authority of Fiji, thank you,” said Mr Bati.
Once the project is completed, customers will get 24/7 water supply at the turn of their tap with adequate pressure. It will also have the ability to accommodate new development, as Wainibuku is a growing settlement.
WAF Chief Operating Officer, Mr Samanmal Ekanayake, said that the settlement would soon 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.