Our water woes

LACK of access to water has been a huge issue for the people of Lomaivuna, it seems, and the need for water harvesting systems was raised by residents during a talanoa session with Economy Minister Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum recently.

Lomaivuna council secretary Oripa Vulaono said the issue was a concern because of health related issues.

At Naitalasese, Bau Rd., in Tailevu, children, we learn, were sometimes unable to attend school and residents in the area were concerned about health issues because of intermittent water supply in an area with a population of more than 1000 people.

We had spoken to a family that claimed water stopped flowing at 8pm and was turned on again at 5am.

The family claimed the issue had been ongoing for the past six months.

They called on Government to intervene and address the issue.

Just few houses away, a 19-year-old tertiary student who spoke on the condition of anonymity, also shared the same experience.

“Water stops running at around 8pm and comes back up at 5am the next day or 9.30am sometimes,” the tertiary student said.

Another parent said they did not face any issues until six months ago.

Last week, while most Fijians relaxed in the comfort of their homes at night, Naisogovau villagers in Bau, Tailevu, moved around and collected water for their families.

Villager Tevita Nodrayaca said they were having sleepless nights, waiting for water to pour out of pipes located near the village.

“Sometimes it’s in the afternoon and sometimes in the night that we manage to get the water in the pipes near our water meters,” the 44-year-old said.

Water is a basic need along with food, air and shelter. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in his speech on World Water Day in March said: “Humanity’s demand for water is growing. Pressure on water resources is increasing due to overuse, pollution and climate change. Droughts and heatwaves are becoming more intense and more frequent. Sea-level rise is driving saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers. Groundwater aquifers are being depleted.”

Water, he noted, can be a source of conflict but also of cooperation.

It is essential, he said, that we work together to provide better stewardship of all water sources, including the world’s supply of groundwater.

“Groundwater is out of sight, but we cannot afford for it to be out of mind. Stored in rocks and soil, groundwater is our biggest source of liquid freshwater. It sustains drinking water supplies, sanitation systems, farming, industry and ecosystems. Yet, some 20 per cent of the world’s aquifers are being overexploited.

“Let us commit to intensifying collaboration among sectors and across borders so we can sustainably balance the needs of people and nature and harness groundwater for current and future generations.”

Many of us take things for granted. In saying that, we are reminded about the importance of water as a need.

We are reminded to be mindful of how we use water and why we must conserve it.

We are also reminded that those tasked to ensure we have a good supply of clean drinking water, have their work cut out.