Lands Ministry and WAF to tackle Waimanu River turbidity issue and water disruptions

Following concerns raised by the Water Authority of Fiji on high turbidity levels in the water due to extreme over-extraction of gravel and sand from the Waimanu River, Minister for Lands Filimoni Vosarogo says they are working with WAF to see how they can approach this issue.

High turbidity levels have been resulting in numerous water disruptions for thousands of residents in Tamavua, Sakoca, Tacirua, Samabula, Upper Ragg Avenue and many areas along Princes Road.

While speaking on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan, Water Authority of Fiji CEO, Doctor Amit Chanan had said when you look back at the reports done for Waimanu River, including the state of the environment report of 2013, it has serious concerns about the gravel and sand extraction from the Waimanu River.

Doctor Chanan had said that Waimanu River is the main source of water supply for thousands of residents in the affected areas, and serious consideration needs to be given to why sand and gravel extraction licences continue to be given which increases turbidity levels.

While responding to questions by fijivillage News, Vosarogo says they have met with the management of WAF and by next week, they are going to meet to see how they can approach this issue. The Lands Minister says the concern is the extraction licences that have been issued in good faith that are causing an impact on the supply of water to the greater Suva area. Vosarogo also highlighted that it can become an economic issue if the final desired outcome for the resource holders is far outweighed by the loss that they collectively have had to pay because of the water quality delays and the supply of water and his processes will have to be looked at that.