WAF works overnight to fix the damaged washout valve at Savura

Thousands of residents feeding from the Tamavua system continue to face water disruption, however, the Water Authority of Fiji team successfully installed the damaged washout for Headworks 3 in Savura at 2.30 this morning.

They say a tree trunk washed down by floodwaters yesterday early morning, collided with the washout valve of the trunk raw water main, causing damage.

Meanwhile, due to the high turbidity (172NTU) experienced at the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant, the inflow is kept at 60 million litres per day to avoid disturbed flocs and overloaded clarifier which could damage the scrapper and shear pins.

WAF says they will continue to monitor valve operation to ensure the restoration of the Tamavua system is progressing.

WAF says it had isolated its raw water pipeline to the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant in Savura to facilitate urgent repairs to a damaged washout valve caused by flash flooding yesterday morning.

WAF Manager Regional Operations Samuela Rokovaleusa says that repair to the damaged washout valve on their raw water pipelines is essential for maintaining water production and operational integrity.

He says large amounts of water were being discharged from the pipe and not reaching the Tamavua water treatment plant.

Rokovaleusa says the isolation of the pipeline was scheduled to commence yesterday and is expected to last overnight.

He adds that during this period, residents in the surrounding areas will experience disruptions in water supply.

Rokovaleusa assures that his operations team will endeavour to minimise the inconvenience, will work diligently to complete the repairs as quickly as possible and provide water carting assistance.

WAF says the safety of their team and the community is their top priority, and they will implement all necessary safety measures during the repair process, as working over a flooded river poses challenges.

They are advising residents to exercise caution in the area and adhere to any signage or directives from WAF personnel.