Repairs works on burst mains continue with thousands in Labasa without water supply

Thousands of people living parts of Labasa that have been facing water supply disruptions for the last six days are being asked by the Water Authority of Fiji to remain patient as emergency repair works on burst mains are still ongoing.

Affected residents are asking for more regular water carting.

The Water Authority of Fiji says people living in Labasa affected by the water supply disruptions can call them on 5777 for water carting assistance.

The areas that have been affected include Vunivau, Soasoa, Parts of Vunika, Basoga, Batinikama, Siberia, Bulileka, Vitadra, Mani Road, Prince Andrew Road, Lowcost, Bulileka, Cemetery Road, Boca, Urata, Bulileka Village, Boubale, Dreketilailai, Bocalevu, Rara, and Saint Augustine.

There have also been water supply disruptions in the elevated areas of Bocalevu, Qelewaqa, Abua and Wailevu.

The Water Authority of Fiji says a 300mm burst main occurred along the Nasealevu line, near the Nakama Pump station in Labasa last Thursday, causing water disruptions to surrounding areas.

This was followed by a second burst along the Navau raw water line where there was a 375mm pipe breakage at Vunikawakawa village.

The Water Authority of Fiji says since both the main raw water bulk line supplying Labasa from Nasealevu and Navau incurred damages at the same time, it escalated the delay in restoration works, causing more deterioration to the water levels at Benau Reservoir.

Works to the Navau raw water line were completed by WAF ground teams last Friday morning and flushing works were carried out to help restore the critical level that Benau Reservoir was facing.

They say to mitigate the water supply issues in the North, the team worked on filling the Volanau Reservoir, which was also at a critical level at the time of the disruptions.

This ensured that residents living in the low lying areas of Vunivau, Boca, Vaturekuka, Vatunibale, and Bulileka received water by Friday evening.

The Water Authority of Fiji says yesterday morning, no raw water was received from the Navau raw water main as there was another burst main on the mainline along Vunikawakawa village.

It says WAF ground teams and water carting teams in Labasa have been working around the clock to normalise water supply as well as to ascertain the cause of the technical issue at the Navau main raw water pipe since its alignment continues to strain the water supply system.