The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) engineers are working around the clock to repair damage to its pumping stations at Waimanu and Wainibuku affecting delivery to nearly 50,000 customers, a result of TD04F.

At Waimanu, a main pipe transporting water from the pumping station to the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant has been seriously damaged due to a landslide on Tuesday morning, according to WAF Acting Chief Executive Officer, Saman Ekanayake.

Mr Ekanayake said that crews are addressing the damage but because there are stabilization problems in setting the pipe it could take up to a week to repair.

He said WAF is currently sourcing water from the Savura Pumping Station and Headwork’s 1, 2 and 3, “but this is far short of providing the water to satisfy customer demands,” said Ekanayake.

In addition the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant is still recovering from damage that occurred to a major piece of machinery early in the week that resulted, for many of the customers, in no tap water.

Add TDO4F to the problems and water carting that began at the water treatment plant now continues with the added burden of the damage to Waimanu.

He said that water carting continues in Tacirua Heights, Khalsa Road, Sakoca area, Tacirua Village,

Tacirua 6 miles, Savutalele area, Doka nai Suva, Colo I Suva Village, ColoI Suva Forestry, Upper Ragg Avenue.

In many other areas around Suva, customers may experience low water pressure especially in elevated area due the damage at Waimanu.

At the Waila Treatment Plant a combination of electrical faults as well as significant leaks in the delivery system have resulted in, at worst water carting for many customers, but with those living in elevated areas, loss of water pressure. There are still areas in Rewa Delta underwater.

18 trucks have been deployed for the carting. for both Suva and the Rewa Delts.

Meanwhile in Rakiraki, a portable water pump has been installed and is currently providing most of that town’s water requirements.

Flooding earlier disrupted the Rakiraki Pump Station operation.

The station’s two pumps that had been clogged with mud because of the flooding, should be

operational by the end of the day and water will resume as normal,” he said.

“Water carts are on standby should they be required.

The preliminary damage costs to WAF assets around the currently stands in excess of $1.8million..

ADVIcE FROM WAF
Due to the impact of TD04F, we continue to advice all customers to boil water before consumption.
WAF also encourages customers to harvest rain water in clean storage containers.

CENTRAL/EASTERN
Deuba/Naboro/Navua
All water operations in the areas above are normal, and normal water supply is being delivered to customers and nearby areas.
For RKS, very little inflow of raw water is being supplied from the source and a team is currently inspecting the situation. For QVS, the pump is currently switched off and a team is also assessing the situation on the ground.

Suva/Nausori
Most operations continue as normal, however, there has been an unplanned Power Shut Down at the Waila Treatment Plant. Power supply has been restored at the Raralevu Pumping Station. The Wainibuku Pumps 3, 4, & 6 are running on GenSets.
Electrical and Mechanical teams are on standby to check Gensets for each Pump Station.
Water is currently being carted to affected customers in Sakoca, Tacirua Heights, Dokaisuva, Tacirua 6 1/2 miles, Raiwaqa Settlement in Navua,
Panaromic, Forestry Training in Colo-i-suva, Toninaiwau, Savutalele, Khalsa
Road, and Raralevu.
A total of 18 water trucks have been deployed for this.

WESTERN
Rakiraki
The Qalau Intake is currently operating with one pump, the WAF team are currently bailing debris from the bore-hole.
A 300KVA standby generator is still in operation at the Qalau pumping station.
The Nakasia dam and Narara dam road are inaccessible due to flood waters.
The Mead Road is closed due to damaged bridge.
Five water carting trucks have been deployed to all metered areas affected. A team is currently attending to a 150mm burst main at Wairuku.

Sigatoka
All operations are normal.

Tavua
All operations are normal.

Ba Water & Sewage
All operations are normal.

Lautoka Water
All operations are normal.

Natabua Sewage
All operations are normal.

Nadi
All operations are normal.
Navakai Sewage
All operations are normal.

NORTHERN
Labasa Water
Due to heavy rain, blockages have occurred at the Nasalasala distribution main.
A team has been dispatched to attend to the problem.
Also, heavy rain had caused a land slide that exposed a 150mm rising main to the Nabekavu reservoir.

Taveuni
Water operations continue as normal with customers living in Waiyevo, Somosomo, Naselesele and Bucalevu, all receiving water supply.
Trucks have been engaged for water carting services in these areas to non-metered residents.

Dreketi Village, Qamea
A team was deployed earlier today to assess the situation on the ground.

Lau Group
For Vanuabalavu, normal water supply continues.

All affected customers who are yet to receive carted water are being encouraged to call WAF’s National Call Center on 3346777 or 5777 for
Vodafone, Digicel and Inkk users.

Source: Water Authority of Fiji

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