Automatic transfer switch has been replaced and raw water pumps have been switched on - WAF

The Water Authority of Fiji says after working non stop, their teams have replaced the damaged automatic transfer switch and raw water pumps have been switched on.

This is after an automatic transfer switch that runs raw water pumps to the Waila Water Treatment plant burned out causing all 5 Raw Water Pumps to switch off.

Thousands of Fijians living along the Suva to Nausori corridor are facing water disruptions as a result of this.

WAF says raw water is now being pumped into the Waila water treatment plant for treatment before treated water is then pumped to service reservoirs before it is reticulated to customers.

They say they will now work to restore water to all impacted areas, a process that may take several days for elevated areas.

Meanwhile, CEO Barry Omundson says they had the spare parts.

Omundson adds that they are still investigating what caused the burn out of the switch as the parts are not that old.

He also says that he has asked his team to find ways as to how they can work differently to ensure that these things are not repeated.

Omundson adds that they have limited water carting trucks in the Suva to Nausori corridor and they will be prioritizing water delivery to hospitals and schools before moving to other areas.

Meanwhile, people have contacted us to say that the helpline number 5777 is not accessible.

Some people say they called 11 times to check on water cartage to their area however there was no answer.

However, WAF says their helpline has been getting a lot of calls and people are placed in a queue.

WAF says they urge patience over the next few days as they endeavour to ensure their customers have access to water and again remind all Fijians to have 2 days worth of drinking water stored at all times in case of disruptions caused by the current drought conditions and/or unplanned operational faults like these.

Some of the people contacting us say that the water disruptions are getting quite frequent now and ask what is happening as water carting is also not being done.

They say by getting messages to store water for 2 to 3 days shows WAF is facing difficulties in maintaining their service delivery.