Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete has confirmed that water sources in the islands of Vanuabalavu, Moala, Moce and Lakeba are safe for drinking after water samples collected from villages indicated that the pH and conductivity value of the samples were satisfactory.
pH stands for potential hydrogen and it tells us how much hydrogen is present in liquids - and how active hydrogen ion is. Water with a pH of between 7.2 and 7.8 is ideal for maintaining good health.
Dr Waqainabete says they had to carry out tests to ensure that volcanic ash from the volcanic eruption in Tonga was not present in the water.
He says the water may taste salty but this is because of seawater intrusion that may have filtered into the water source by the strong sea breeze and this is temporary.
The Minister says when people drink liquids that are too acidic or too alkaline, it can disrupt the body’s delicate balance, which can lead to the development of bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts and parasites.
Dr Waqainabete adds access to safe drinking water is essential to health as it is a basic human right and a component of effective policy for health protection.
He says apart from testing water samples, the teams also distributed food packs, wash kits and aqua-tabs to villages in Lau.
