Water System Old, Cannot Meet Demand

The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) is punching above its capacity to meet the demand for water in Fiji.  Population increase over the years puts pressure on an  outdated water distribution system, contributing to water supply disruptions.

Often, complaints raised by members of the public, particularly those in the elevated areas of the Central Division, about constant water disruptions, raise concerns about the competence level of the Government, the WAF leadership, and staff.

This concern is further aggravated by the poor service provided by the authority’s water carting system, which members of the public say do not respond on time to emergency water supply needs.

Fiji has the cheapest water rates in the Pacific (15 cents for every 1000 litres), but should this mean the people have to suffer because of the lack of oversight over the years into one of the crucial infrastructures that provides a basic need to all Fijians?

Minister for Finance Biman Prasad earlier indicated that there may be no other option but to increase water rates to pump in money needed to fix the old water supply system.

This week, we visited the Savura and Waimanu pumping stations (established in the 1940s and 50s respectively).

While inspecting the infrastructure and installed system, it was obvious that these infrastructures need massive upgrades.

Raw water gushing out from pipes, building condition rusted in some parts, and pumps that at some stage fail to work, needing maintenance.

There are some works that still require manual labour, especially when there is an power outage or lifting of heavy materials, where WAF groundworkers at the Savura Pumping Station still use ropes to operate the crane.

Such situation makes one wonder about the condition of the water mains and the supply system that runs underground.

DEMAND VS SUPPLY 

The Suva-Nausori corridor is split into two systems – Tamavua Water Treatment Plant (established 1960s) and the Waila Treatment Plant (established 1980s), which is the largest of the two.

The Suva water supply system dates to 1910.

The Suva-Nausori system was constructed at a time where the population was less than 100,000. It was only in the 1990s that the population started to hit close to 100,000 and has increased since.

The 2017 census provided by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics indicated that Suva, Lami, Nasinu and Nausori had a combined population of 268,432.

In the same census, the population for Suva City (Suva, Muanikau, Samabula, Tamavua, Suva peri-urban) and Lami Town (Lami eastern ward, Lami western ward, Lami peri-urban) numbered around 118,507.

Statistics on water disruptions gathered by the bureau in 2017 showed that for Suva and Lami residents:

•  399 often got water cut;
•  12,355 indicated sometimes; and
•  11,292 indicated almost never.

The census is carried out over a 10-year period.

No system expansion was ever carried out, instead WAF is stretching its current infrastructure and system to supply water to the mass, especially in the Suva and Lami areas.

These two areas are covered by the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant, which was designed to process 60 million litres of water.

However, because of the increase in demand, the plant is processing around 75 million litres of water – above its capacity.

The well at the Savura Pumping Station that stores raw water before it’s pumped to the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant. It was built in 1942. Photo: Ivamere Nataro

PROBLEM VS SOLUTION 

Mr Soderberg said WAF acknowledged the ongoing water disruptions faced by residents in Suva and Nausori.

“While challenges such as silt washing down from the mountains, blockages, and other weather-related impacts have been long-standing, WAF is committed to addressing these issues and enhancing the reliability and resilience of the water supply system,” he said.

Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services Ro Filipe Tuisawau said a tender for the construction of an additional plant to complement the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant closed on April 11, 2025.

He said the project was already budgeted for and would take a year to complete, if plans worked out accordingly.

Apart from the additional plant, the ministry is also implementing the elevated Princes Road infrastructure project.

“This involves a new gravity pipeline from the junction of Sawani and Princes Road, which is about 143 kilometres, a pump station halfway, and two five mega litre steel tank reservoirs at Colo-i-Suva,” Mr Tuisawau said.

“These two projects will address the water disruptions faced by residents living in the elevated areas of the Central Division.”

Feedback: ivamere.nataro@fijisun.com.fj