Water Pipe Repairs Affect Many in Suva
Thousands of Fijians were affected as a burst pipe feeding water into the Wainibuku Reservoir in Nakasi was being repaired by the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF).
Children did not go to school, people did not make it to work on time or did not go at all, schools cancelled prefect inductions and some businesses in Nasinu did not open at all.
And while people had no water, many of those affected were not reached by trucks carting water. WAF acting team leader (corporate communication) Peni Shute said the infrastructure was aging and such problems were expected.
On Thursday evening, WAF ground teams identified the cause of the leakage as a defective and worn out ferrule-cock and rubber ring.
Mr Shute said repairs included metal and welding works.
As of yesterday afternoon, repairs were made to the bulk main, which feeds treated water from the Waila Water Treatment Plant to the Wainibuku main distribution reservoir.
Yesterday morning started without water for many people.
Raiwaqa resident Sydney Fremlin drove up to Samabula to fill water in buckets and bring it back home. His children did not go to school. “Water is important and I don’t know what the situation is in schools. I am also tired of waiting for the water trucks,” he said.
Nepani resident Faiyaz Ali said water had been restored around midday. He said his family did not also encounter any water trucks.
In Raiwai and Raiwaqa, people put buckets outside their homes and waited for the water trucks. Along Grantham Road, people resorted to opening a fire hydrant.
Children and adults filled buckets and some even enjoyed baths alongside the busy road.
A Raiwaqa resident, who identified himself as Joe, said if the authorities did not help the people, they would help themselves.
According to WAF, 15 water trucks were tasked with servicing the affected areas.