Human activities played the major part in excessive turbidity – Soderberg

The Water Authority of Fiji found record turbidity which is dirt in water levels in the Waimanu Raw Water Source, exceeding 500 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU), and WAF says while the weather had a role, human activities played the major part in excessive turbidity.

WAF Chief Operating Officer, Seru Soderberg says they also want to remind everyone that turbidity is outside of their control and it is one of the by-products of human activity within the watershed catchment of a raw water supply intake.

He says multiple villages and communities are located upstream of the intake and the residents are involved in farming activities, as either a main source or supplementary source of livelihood.

Soderberg says the control of human activities within the water catchment areas is one way that turbidity issues could be minimised.

He says with better land management and use, runoff of soil will be reduced, resulting in less turbidity in Waimanu River, as well as all other rivers in Fiji where WAF sources its raw water from.

Soderberg says the turbidity levels must be processed at a slower rate to prevent damage to their equipment and ensure the water can be treated safely.

He says the highest NTU level that they have ever recorded at Tamavua or Waila was 180 NTU, before to a cyclone a few years ago.

Soderberg says due to this incredibly high turbidity, the Waila Water Treatment Plant was not able handle the heavy load, so they had to switch off one raw water pump and clear water pump as a safety measure.

He says once turbidity levels had lowered, outflow could once again be brought to the required levels, and the pumps were brought back on.

Soderberg says this is a necessary health and safety measure and by reducing the inflow of raw water into their treatment plant, they ensure that there is proper settling time before treatment,and maintain water quality at a level that is suitable for consumption.

He says people must use water wisely and store enough water for at least 2 to 3 days in case of such disruptions.

We are currently trying to speak to Water Authority of Fiji and Ministry of Agriculture on how the issue of human activity can be controlled or addressed as it is affecting thousands of people.