Japanese companies aim to improve water environment in Fiji
Japanese companies have conducted feasibility studies and pilot projects that aim to improve the water environment in Fiji.
This was highlighted by the Counselor and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan, Hada Tsuguyosh, during the Fijian Sewage Improvement workshop held at the Tanoa Skylodge Hotel in Nadi on Thursday.
Mr Tsuguyosh said the scheme enabled Japanese companies to conduct feasibility studies that aimed to improve the water environment in Fiji.
“Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has established the funding scheme called ‘Model Project for Improvement of Water Environment in Asia’ in 2011, which supports Japanese companies that may be able to contribute to the development of countries in Asia and also in the Pacific, where water pollution is becoming a serious issue due to rapid population increase and economic growth,” he said. “This scheme enables Japanese companies to conduct feasibility studies and pilot projects that aim to improve the water environment.”
Mr Tsuguyosh said in 2018, the Ministry approved funding for a group of Japanese companies, comprising Hitachi Limited, Original Engineering Consultants Company Limited and Global Water Recycling and Reuse System Association, as well as Fukuoka City Sewerage Bureau, to conduct a feasibility study and pilot project on the improvement of the water environment in Fiji’s western region, where Fiji’s largest international airport was located and resort facilities are concentrated.
“The project is called ‘Low environmental impact type wastewater treatment and resource circulation system dissemination project, which utilises the anaerobic aerobic filter method or A2F method in short.
“The group has already established the pilot plant in Navakai sewage treatment plant in November 2019. I have heard the A2F method is an economical and environmentally friendly sewage treatment system, and the method is expected to improve the function of the sewage treatment plant without expanding the existing site area.”
He said considering the challenges Fiji faced such as rapid population growth and the need to conserve important tourism resources such as beaches, he was sure the A2F method appealed to the stakeholders in Fiji.
Furthermore, he said, Japan had provided the water supply systems to 32 destitute rural communities in Fiji, in partnership with NGOs like Rotary Pacific Water for Life Foundation and Habitat for Humanity Fiji.