WAF: Static assets old

Omundson visits treatment plants

MUCH of Fiji’s static assets like pump stations, treatment plants and ground pipes are quite old and are prone to water bursts or blocked sewers.

The newly-appointed chief executive officer of the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF), Barry Omundson, highlighted this in his first-ever tour of the Western Division last week.

According to WAF, Mr Omundson was taken on a detailed site inspection and briefed on water supply and wastewater services to Fijians in the West.

“Things get done through people, as a consequence improving culture will improve how and when things get done, Mr Omundson said.

“Much of our static assets like pump stations, treatment plants and pipes in the ground are quite old and as many of our customers would know, prone to water bursts, or blocked sewers.

“I now have a better understanding of our assets, people and their capability and capacity.

“It was an excellent inspection, and it gave me an opportunity to meet the workers on the ground stationed in depots, treatment plants and customer service centres.”

Mr Omundson said building a great culture while improving assets with a significant and ambitious capital program over the next few years would go a long way to delivering the authority’s vision of clean water and sanitation for a better life.

The site inspection was conducted to allow him to meet his team and see the authority’s ground operations.

He visited the Olosara wastewater treatment plant, Sigatoka customer service centre, WAF Sigatoka Depot, Matovo water treatment plant, the Keiyasi water treatment plant and also inspected works at the new Nawaicoba reservoir site.