Residents of Baulevu can only get piped water through WAF after completion of Viria Dam project - Soderberg

Water Authority of Fiji says they have a plan to provide piped water to Baulevu residents in Nausori, however this can only happen after the completion of the Viria Dam project.

Thousands of Baulevu residents are not connected to WAF’s water supply system and get their water from a waterfall which at times gets contaminated.

WAF’s Chief Operating Officer Seru Soderberg says they are not producing enough water to cover areas like Baulevu, and the Viria Dam project will give them that ability.

Soderberg says the commissioning of the Viria Dam project is expected to take place mid next year. He says once the project is operational, they will ask for funding from the Government to extend the service in Baulevu as well as Namara and other communities towards Korovou.

When questioned on the concerns raised by Baulevu residents that the water from the waterfall gets contaminated when leaves fall in the dam, Soderberg says rural water schemes are looked after by the water committees in the community.

He says if their source gets contaminated, communities can call them and they will provide water carting through funding that has been provided by the government for rural water carting.

Residents of Baulevu had raised concerns with the Acting Prime Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum about their water supply during the visit by him and other Ministers after the Nav Durga Temple break-in and burning of the Hindu holy book, Ramayan.