By 2025 Government aims to ensure that piped, safe drinking water is provided to 95 per cent of the Fijian population. Currently, 88 per cent Fijians receive safe, clean drinking water.

Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Vijay Nath informed Parliament Water Authority of Fiji’s budget for rural schemes had been significantly increased to $27 million.

This demonstrated Government’s commitment to our rural communities and the allocation would deliver 176 rural projects benefiting approximately 49,780 of the rural population, he said.

“One of the major projects is the Rewa/Viria project set to be completed by year 2021,” Mr Nath said.

“This will ensure that we increase service coverage and improve reliable water supply 24/7 to approximately 340,000 of the population living within the Suva-Nausori corridor.”

In the area of Wastewater, the national coverage is low at 44 per cent.

“WAF is currently engaged in augmentation and consolidation works of its biggest Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Kinoya.

The Kinoya WWTP serves the Suva-Nausori corridor and will be expanded up to 150,000 equivalent population (EP) and further upon completion of upgrading works under the Asian Development Bank project, the plant will be subsequently expanded up to 277,000 equivalent population.

“A feasibility study will be undertaken in 2018 for the development of water and wastewater infrastructure in Savusavu via a grant from the Kuwait Government through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.”

The Water Authority was also in the process of developing its Disaster Risk Management Plan especially after the experience of the TC Winston in February 2016.

“After TC Winston, the rural unit had mobilised up to 184 villages across the country (Central/Eastern/Western/Northern) and within 3-6 weeks were able to restore water in these respective villages. As of today, some villages are still being rehabilitated.”

Approximately 27,000 people will benefit from this rehabilitation programme.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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