A world-leading water service-provider has successfully tendered for the contract to install two modular water treatment plants-one in Ba, the other in Tailevu.

Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) chief executive officer,  Opetaia Ravai, said that DEGRAMONT, a subsidiary of a multinational company, SUEZ Environment, was expected to begin construction of the two water treatment plants later this year.

SUEZ Environment is a world-leading water service provider, with more than 200,000 employees world-wide and an annual turnover of some Euro 15billion (FJ$35 bn).

Mr Ravai and three WAF engineers recently returned from New Caledonia, where they inspected the same type of plant installed by SUEZ Environment for Calédonienne des Eaux (CDE), the New Caledonia Water utility.

“The CDE engineers both build and operate the water treatment plants of the type to be constructedin Ba and Tailevu, making it an ideal opportunity for us to inspect and clarify the technical details with the experts,” Mr Ravai said.

The invitation to visit New Caledonia was extended to Mr Ravai by the CEO of CDE and was timed to coincide with the visit to New Caledonia by the Chairman of CDE.

Mr Ravai said it and was “an honour for us.”

“As Suez Environment is a recognised multinational company able to exercise large economies of scale, it is advantageous for WAF to be aligned with such a company in terms of water and wastewater systems, its suppliers and operators, with 24 hour access to the expertise of scientists and engineers, world-wide.”