WAILA PLANT WORKS A SUCCESS
Raralevu system sees boost in water supply; district metered areas (DMA) of Nausori and Rewa Deltas restored.
The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) has successfully completed the cut-in works to install the cross-connection valves as part of the ‘Waila Water Treatment Plant – Duilomaloma Road DN375 Trunk Main duplication Project’.
WAF general manager customer services and acting general manager operations, Sekove Uluinayau, said the cut-in works were all carried out as scheduled.
“As part of this water shutdown at Waila, the two major cut-in works were carried out at the Waila Water Treatment Plant and Duilomaloma Road,” Mr Uluinayau said. “WAF also undertook improvement works during the shutdown period by undertaking pipeline realignment works at the Raralevu Reservoir as well as an additional six sites where cut-in works were also carried out at the following areas: Burebasaga, Vuci Road, Nausori Airport, Taci, Suvalailai, and Natogadravu.” Additional works will have to be undertaken this week to realign a section of the DN375 Waila-Raralevu by-pass pipeline at the Waila Water Treatment Plant. “These works will be carried out later this week, but it will not require a water shutdown,” Mr Uluinayau confirmed.
“To better monitor flow, water pressure levels and collate data, we also installed a total of 12 flow meters at various strategic locations within the Raralevu Water Supply reticulation system.”
He reiterated that the purpose of the works was to boost water supply into the Raralevu system, which they anticipate would provide better services to their customers. “WAF crew members have been working around the clock to re- fill the 100 water tanks, which are strategically placed in nearly all villagers and communities,” Mr Uluinayau said.
“Additionally, we have a total of 30 water carting trucks that have been deployed to refill these water tanks and to cart water to customers.” He thanked the dedicated staff who worked tirelessly during the weekend “for their hard work and commitment during the water shutdown conducting cut-in works and installations as well as water carting services.”
Mr Uluinayau also thanked the many customers in the Nausori and Rewa Deltas who took heed of the disruption notices and alerts and stored their back-up water supply in their homes.
Meanwhile, water supply has been restored to majority of the areas in the district metered areas (DMA) within the Raralevu water supply system. This includes all affected areas in Nausori and the Rewa Deltas.
“As of yesterday morning, 90 per cent of affected areas in Nausori had water supply restored,” he said.
“All low-lying areas should have water supply restored and WAF crew members are working hard to get the remaining elevated areas restored at a 100 per cent.
“In the meantime, WAF crew members are carrying out flushing works to bleed the water pipeline to eliminate any trapped air. The teams are also conducting valve operations, which are all part of the water restoration process.”
Customers are to contact the authority’s National Contact Centre on 1507 or email waterhelp@waf. com.fj for any clarification or water carting assistance.