Service level targets

THE Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) provides a reasonable level of service but is not yet able to provide the service level targets stated in its customer charter regarding continuity of service and water quality.

This, according to a new report released by the Pacific Regional Infrastructure Facility, titled “Diagnostics of Pacific Water and Wastewater Association Water Utilities”.

“Coverage of water supply in the service area has increased to 100 per cent and average residential consumption has come down, most likely due to WAF’s pressure reduction campaigns,” the report found.

“Coverage of the sewerage network still is relatively low. The aim of the government and of WAF is to increase this percentage in the coming years.

“A relevant question is if extending the sewerage network is financially feasible and if there are more cost-effective ways of achieving the same result.

“The ability and willingness of WAF to improve access to WSS (water supply and sanitation) in Fiji also depends on its performance and the efficiency of its operations.

“In the period 2012-2019, the number of water connections has increased with about 2.5 per cent per year. Most of this increase appears to be caused by the influx of families from rural areas to urban areas.

“Not all households in WAF’s supply area receive 24/7 water supply and there are areas that receive considerably less.

“In 2013 WAF identified 68 areas with intermittent supply. This was reduced to 50 in 2014 and to 23 areas in 2015. In 2016, the number of areas with intermittent supply was 11.

“The improvement has become noticeable in the continuity of supply, which increased from an average 20 to 22 hours per day.”

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