Submissions for Water Tanks to be Extended to Urban Residents
The Water Authority of Fiji will make submissions to Government in the 2023-2024 National Budget for the rainwater harvesting initiative to be extended to urban residents as well.
Currently, the initiative is available for rural dwellers with 14,200 water tanks distributed to them since the initiative started.
It comes as water crisis in the Lami-Suva-Nausori corridor become remains a concern.
Authority chief operation officer, Seru Soderberg, said: “We are asking the Government to provide funding for us to subsidise the cost of tanks for customers in urban areas.
“This is especially for those experiencing intermittent supply areas as well as areas that face a lot of disruptions These are customers living in the upper Tacirua, Colo-i-Suva among others.”
Residents’ plea to Govt
Residents along Sakoca
Road, Tamavua, are pleading to the Government to provide them with water tanks.
Vakananumi Ligaloa, echoed sentiments of recent reports as the as one of the worst in years.
Ms Ligaloa said the area which is prone to water cuts has never experienced water cuts for two weeks.
Josefa Nararabalavu, who also resides in the area, said it’s really a struggle for them to get by every day.
He said there are students and family members who need to go to school and work but the water issue in their area often makes families struggle.
It is estimated that more than 2000 people live in this area. Their plea is one that many have shared, a dedicated water tank for the community so that eventually they don’t have to struggle to get their basic necessity for their family.
He said since there is no rain due to dry spells, this too has caused them to struggle.
“If there could be a supply of water tanks for us here,” he said.
“Because there are many people in this area.”
He said the Government had two initiatives, one was the rural harvesting initiative that was part of the 2022-2023 National Budget. He did not wish to reveal the other as it was still in the pipeline.
Meanwhile, interested families in rural areas who are keen on applying to the scheme can access the application form on the Water Authority of Fiji website.