Families in 86 communities across Fiji are still waiting for water supply systems to be installed despite boreholes already being drilled, as the Government works to improve access to safe and reliable water in areas facing water shortages.
The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources says increased funding has boosted drilling capacity from an average of 15 boreholes annually to 93 boreholes during the 2024-2026 period, with 80 boreholes targeted for the 2025-2026 financial year.
The Ministry says it is working with the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management to provide basic water supply systems to these communities while permanent water distribution systems are being pursued.
These temporary systems will include a submersible pump, a water storage tank and a centrally located community standpipe, allowing residents to collect water for drinking, cooking and other essential household needs.
The Ministry says the Government continues to strengthen efforts to assist communities outside the Water Authority of Fiji network, particularly drought-prone areas, remote rural settlements and maritime islands where surface water sources are inadequate, contaminated or unavailable.
The Ministry says through the Groundwater Assistance Programme, the Government provides assistance with groundwater surveys, drilling and development to communities experiencing water shortages.
The programme focuses on some of the driest areas on Fiji's major islands and smaller islands where groundwater is the most practical source of freshwater.
The Ministry says 232 boreholes have been successfully drilled since 2015, with 88 of these subsequently completed with water reticulation systems.
It says demand for groundwater development has continued to increase as more communities become aware of the programme and climate change contributes to more frequent and prolonged droughts.
The programme, which began in the early 1980s, has assisted communities across Fiji, including many maritime islands.
The Ministry says the Government significantly increased funding for the programme in the 2024-2025 financial year, allowing three private drilling contractors to be engaged and increasing the capacity to reach more communities.
The Ministry says the Australia-Fiji Vuvale Partnership-funded Airborne Electromagnetic Geophysical Survey has also helped identify potential groundwater sources in water-scarce areas.
They say previously the Department relied on time-consuming ground investigations, which allowed surveys of only around 20 communities each year, however, with the new survey data, technical assessments and potential drilling locations can now be identified more efficiently in areas covered by the survey.
The Ministry says the Government is also continuing to assist communities facing water shortages through coordinated efforts led by the National Disaster Risk Management Office.
Meanwhile, the Ministry is encouraging communities experiencing ongoing water shortages, including residents of Ellington Settlement in Rakiraki, to submit formal requests for assistance as soon as possible.
Requests must be submitted to the Director Mineral Resources or the Ministry's Permanent Secretary and should clearly explain the water problems being faced.
They must also include the contact details of a community representative and a supporting letter from the relevant Provincial Office, through the Provincial Administrator or District Officer, confirming the authenticity of the request.
The Ministry says this will allow communities' water needs to be assessed and considered under the Groundwater Assistance Programme.
