Fiji Sun

Water Authority Plans to Build a Multi-million Dollar Project

- INOKE RABONU and KELERA SOVASIGA Edited by Selita Rabuku Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj

Plans by Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) to build a 20 million litres Water Treatment Plant by mid-2022 in Tamavua is well underway. Chief Operations Officer, Seru Soderberg said a tender for the project was expected to be out at the end of next month for interest contractor­s.

“In building this new project, it provides WAF with the opportunit­y to maintain reservoir levels in Tamavua and continuous­ly maintain water supply to those in the SuvaNausor­i corridor,” Mr Soderberg said.

“We are looking at bids from reputable companies for the supply, installati­on and operation of the new water treatment plant and we will be submitting it to our Board for approval.

“The winning bidder will go out to their supplier to procure the items and have it shipped over but with the COV

ID-19 restrictio­ns, we might have some delays.”

Mr Soderberg said the current plant could only hold 60 million litres of water, but they had been pushing for a 75million litres.

“The current plant could have difficulty in holding the load and at times gets clogged.

“When this new treatment plant is commission­ed, we will be able to split flow and have effective treatment of water.” The Government funded project is estimated to cost around $13 million.

WAF Chief Executive Officer, Barry Omundson said the organisati­on was doing its best on the ground to diminish future water disruption­s around the country.

“We do apologise to our valued customers but rest assured immediate release notificati­ons will be sent out to inform customers on such disruption­s,” he said.

When this new treatment plant is commission­ed, we will BE ABLE TO SPLIT flOW AND have effective treatment of water.” Seru Soderberg CHIEF OPERATIONS OFfiCER

NORTHERN DIVISION REPAIRS

Mr Soderberg said they were yet to ascertain the detailed damage assessment post Tropical Cyclone Yasa in the Northern Division.

“In terms of having a figure that is something we are still finialisin­g at the moment because our team is still working in Galoa Village in Bua as we speak,” he said.

“We still have about three areas to cover but Galoa is the biggest area of work now mostly because it is an open ocean pipeline.

“In the Northern Division we didn’t really have a lot of damages on our infrastruc­ture for our urban water supply system it is our rural schemes that was heavily impacted.” He said cost of damages would be ascertaine­d by next week.

“Our teams are demobilizi­ng from the North as they near the completion of all the works they have to do.”

He added that a detailed damage assessment would be provided by his team on the ground.

 ?? Photo: Kelera Sovasiga ?? (From left) Water Authority of Fiji Manager Infrastruc­ture and Service Delivery Central/Eastern, Leigh Chan, chief executive officer Barry Omundson and Chief Operations Officer, Seru Soderberg during a press conference on January 16, 2020.
Photo: Kelera Sovasiga (From left) Water Authority of Fiji Manager Infrastruc­ture and Service Delivery Central/Eastern, Leigh Chan, chief executive officer Barry Omundson and Chief Operations Officer, Seru Soderberg during a press conference on January 16, 2020.

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