WAF working overtime to get water supply situation normalised as soon as possible

The Water Authority of Fiji is working overtime to get the water supply situation normalised in the Suva area as soon as possible.

According to WAF, their operational team has conducted assessments overnight on the damages to the DN600 raw water trunk main outlet along Savura Road to the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant, and while the adjoining raw water main is intact, they cannot utilise it until the site is stabilised.

WAF Chief Operating Officer Seru Soderberg says work is underway at the ruptured trunk main caused by a landslip along Savura Road in Wailoku and the expected recovery will take into the weekend, weather permitting.

Meanwhile, members of the Emergency Committee convened in Suva last night to discuss the current water problem in the Central Division and the Government’s plans to ensure the restoration of this critical service as soon as possible.

The meeting was chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Isoa Talemaibua.

Minister for Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka also attended the meeting, along with other Permanent Secretaries and representatives of key agencies who are part of the Committee.

This fault is impacting everyone supplied by the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant which includes Namadi Heights, Upper and Lower Ragg Avenue, Princes Road, Tamavua Village, Savura Road, Narain Road, Wailoku Road, the Samabula area, Bureta Street, Rewa Street, Ratu Sukuna Road, Nailuva Road, Reservoir Road, the entire Walu Bay area, Delainavesi, all of Lami, Waiqanake, and Togalevu.

Meanwhile, 50 water tankers have been engaged to provide relief to six affected zones that have been impacted by the current water disruptions.

WAF says their teams have started serving clean drinking water to the affected areas, and they will continue on a 24-hour roster until pipeline repairs along Savura Road are completed. They are also urging customers in affected areas to save and store water when water tankers deliver water to their areas.

Ten water trucks will serve Nailuva Road, Ratu Sukuna Road, Princes Road, Tamavua Village, Rewa Street, Lekutu Street, Delanavesi, Lami, Panaromic, Waiqanake, and Togalevu. Ten water trucks will provide water to Sakoca, Wrong Turn, Upper Khalsa, Tacirua Heights, Nukuboco, Nagatugatu and nearby areas. Ten trucks will serve the areas of Tamavua Village, Upper Ragg Avenue, Deoji Street, Tacirua Bus garage, Amputuch, Princes Road, LDS, Twomey and Bel Air Road. Ten trucks will provide relief to the Seventh Day Church, Tacirua Fijian School, Vunuleba Settlement, Opposite Jeremiah College, and the roundabout at Baljit Shop. Five trucks will provide water to Naisogo, Crest Chicken, Rain Forest, Marshall Road, Taqairua, Vunikawai, Uluibeka, Colanivau and Nilgrey. Ten trucks will serve the areas of Ratu Sukuna Road, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Muanikau, Laucala Bay, Domain, McGregor Road, Amy Street, Spring Street, High Street, Brown Street, Hospital, Nasese and Toorak Road.

WAF says the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) will stabilise the area, and once completed, it will allow them to switch over to the pipe that was not damaged by landslide capacity and will remain well below the required volumes and raw water.