Residents Call For Help Amidst Continued Water Supply Problem
People living along Lami-Suva-Nausori corridor surviving three weeks of supply disruption
It’s a lucky day if they have water, otherwise they usually pray for normalisation of water supply in their area.
These were the sentiments shared by Filimoni Ratoto, who lives at Tacirua, near Suva.
The water woes that has been affecting the Lami-Suva-Nausori corridor hold a different plea for him. The father of five said this had been one of the worst water problems they had ever experienced. He said water supply problems could be constant, but they would be consistently assisted by water trucks. This time around, he claimed, too often when the water trucks reached them, supply had run out so they had to wait for delivery on the next day.
“It’s three weeks now since normal water service was provided to us,” Mr Ratoto said.
“It’s hard because children are going to school. They walk down to fill their buckets then walk up again.” Mr Ratoto is pleading for help. “We ask Government to look at the problem because it’s a necessity to have water,” Mr Ratolo said.
Another resident, Amelia Masilaca, said: “Vanua qo o Tacirua sa dau macamaca sara ga kina na wai (Taciruais one place that often faces water supply issues),” Ms Masilaca said.
“It’s really hard because school is going on. Last year, it wasn’t like this, this time around its worse – three weeks!”
Ms Masilaca’s plea is for Government to provide alternatives such water tanks to be built in their community.
Water Authority of Fiji
Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) chief operating officer, Seru Soderberg said: “They (Tacirua residents) are right at the top. We need normal inflow at the reservoir, so we can pump it up,” Mr Soderberg said.
“When we can’t get normal inflow, we don’t produce enough water to enable us to pump water at Upper Tacirua area.”
He said concerns raised about being the ‘worst’ water supply in the area was because of the dry weather.
Fijii Meteorological Service
Acting director for Fiji Meteorological Service, Terry Atalifo, said rainfall was low in the Central Division.
“The weather, of course, is a small component to it. I think there are other sectors to it that contribute to this water shortage.”
Mr Atalifo said anticipation of extreme rainfall in the next seven days would make a difference in the Central Division was minimal.
“We have just brief showers. I think the water source would not be replenished because we’re not foreseen severe in terms of rainfall.”
Pundit Jayendrakumar Shastriji of Lakshmi Narayan Temple at Holland Street in Suva said: “The water supply in the temple is good but it is important that conservation of water is practiced.” “I’m pleading to the public to conserve water, and we pray to God that the water problem could be solved.” Mufti Shafroz Ali Sikandal of Toorak Jame Masjid said this month was too special as Muslims around the world and in Fiji observed the holy month of Ramadan. He said they were not only focusing on issues such as water supply woes, but also the affairs of the country, and the well-being of all races for peace and calm.