Water matters

THE revelation that thousands of people in areas around the greater Suva area are expected to be without water in the coming days is cause for concern. A statement released by the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) yesterday stated part of the water outage was because of a rupture on the Waimanu Raw Water Rising Main because of unplanned power fluctuations at the station.

WAF stated it would be shut down to allow its technical team to “safely access and excavate the site to assess and determine the extent of the damage prior to carrying out repairs”.

“As these two pumps and main contribute to over 40 per cent of the flow into the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant, production at the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant will be affected significantly.”

We also learn that technical issues at the Wainibuku Reservoir and Tovata Reservoir have emerged as water levels have not fully recovered since Tuesday night. Customers in affected areas have been advised to store sufficient amounts of water to last at least two to three days.

This is an unfortunate turn of events and will no doubt attract attention, frustration and anger among those impacted.

We realise circumstances and scenarios have contributed to the issues many now face, however, people will look up to the powers that be for reassurance and for some tough decisions.

For those impacted, it will mean living through days of using less water, and the challenges of trying to get some water for daily use when there is none or less available. We are reminded though about being proactive.

It may be tough under the circumstances now, but there will have to be some thought placed on how we use water responsibly, and how we conserve it moving forward. Water is such a vital part of our lives. According to the United Nations water is at the core of sustainable development and is critical for socio-economic development, energy and food production, healthy ecosystems and for human survival itself. Water, it says, is also at the heart of adaptation to climate change, serving as the crucial link between society and the environment.

In saying that, it points out that water is also a rights issue. As the global population grows, there is an increasing need to balance all of the competing commercial demands on water resources, so that communities have enough for their needs.

At the human level, it says, water cannot be seen in isolation from sanitation. Together, they are vital for reducing the global burden of disease and improving the health, education and economic productivity of populations.

The UN says 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services and almost 2 billion people depend on health care facilities without basic water services.

We learn that 297,000 children under five die every year from diarrhoeal diseases due to poor sanitation, poor hygiene, or unsafe drinking water. The UN also highlights the right to water and sanitation.

Now back to the homefront, as thousands of residents experience water challenges over the next few days in and around the Capital City, there will be attention focused on how the powers that be deal with this state of affairs, especially now that we are in the cyclone season. We look up to those who will be working behind the scenes to get water back up and running, and we acknowledge the effort put in with a mind to the future.

■ ther the procedure or the appropriate authorities who carry out this procedure. Voting used to be untrustworthy and rigged, but those days are long gone. Even the last-minute campaigning on election day frightened some voters.

Everyone wants the general election to be conducted fairly. Since I first registered to vote in Fiji, I have observed that the Fijian Elections Office and all election personnel put the integrity of the process first and foremost.

The 48-hour blackout period is much appreciated. Within this time, voters may peacefully decide which candidate number to either circle or tick or cross. The current election method even permits the presence of party representatives, media people, and observers throughout the entire process, including the vote counting.

I have complete confidence in the FEO and its expertly skilled election officials. Make use of your rights by casting a valid ballot!

DINESH KUMAR

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