Tuisawau urges Fijians to take heed of water restrictions

Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, Ro Filipe Tuisawau has reminded members of the public in the Lami-Suva-Nausori areas to take heed of the water restrictions recently announced by the Water Authority of Fiji.

Tuisawau says the continuation of the current dry weather situation is posing a significant water supply challenge.

The Fiji Meteorological Services in a recent media statement highlighted that the rainfall station in Suva recorded 157 millimeters of rainfall in March, while its long-term average for the month is normally around 345 millimeters.

Similarly, the rainfall station in Nausori recorded 140 millimeters of rainfall during the past month, while it would normally receive around 356 millimeters during March.

Tuisawau says this is very alarming as the rainfall data reflect the water stress we are facing in terms of water supply production and supply.

He adds while there was rain experienced in parts of Suva yesterday, however, this was not enough to replenish levels at the WAF water supply catchment areas.

He says according to the weather forecasts, the decrease in rainfall is likely to continue in the coming months.

Tuisawau says the water supply will be impacted by this, therefore, they strongly urge members of the public to take heed of notices and by doing so we can work together to help manage and share the limited water supply we can continue to draw from the catchments. The Minister says this is a reminder, and the Water Authority of Fiji has issued restrictions, prohibiting members of the public in the Lami-Suva-Nausori corridor to avoid water usage for car washing, watering of plants and gardens, irrigation of new turf, topping up of swimming pools, and washing of hard surfaces, like driveways and footpaths.

According to WAF, in the coming days, the Water Authority of Fiji will enhance the coffer dams at the Waimanu raw water pump station and construct a temporary coffer dam at its Waila raw water pumping station and this is done to capture more raw water and enable the raw water pumps to operate safely with maintaining raw water inflow levels.

Meanwhile, WAF anticipate that the new $270m water treatment plant being constructed at Viria in Naitasiri would assist them in its efforts in water supply, once commissioned later this year.

Members of the public living in the Lami-Suva-Nausori corridor who need water carting assistance are to contact the Water Authority of Fiji at 334 6777 or short code 5777 for water carting relief.