El Niño warning puts Fiji water supply under pressure

El Niño conditions and below-normal rainfall are putting Fiji’s water sources under pressure, with the country warned to prepare for drastic measures if dry conditions continue.

Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the Fiji Meteorological Service had advised that rainfall was likely to remain below normal through to the end of the year.

The driest period is expected between October and December.

“We as a nation have to be ready for drastic measures as the dry weather continues,” Mr Tuisawau said.

The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) has activated dry-weather contingency plans across all three regions, although water supply is continuing across most of its systems nationwide.

Mr Tuisawau said WAF teams were working daily to maintain supply as the dry weather continued.

WAF monitors 44 main operational water sources across the country.

Most are producing less water than their treatment plants need to operate at normal output on their own because of the dry conditions.

The affected systems are being supported through supplementary pumping, managed flows and other contingency measures.

Measures underway

Mr Tuisawau said WAF was supplementing stressed water sources through additional pumping and temporary pump stations.

Works were also being carried out at pump sites to allow pumping to continue at low water levels.

Monitoring of water sources under stress has been increased to weekly.

WAF is also managing pressure and pumping schedules, accelerating repairs to leaks and burst mains and deploying water carting where needed.

Work is continuing on the rehabilitation of water intakes, development of additional sources and longer-term measures to improve drought resilience.

Some of the measures could affect the pressure and consistency of water reaching households.

Valve operations, pressure management and the rebalancing of flows between systems could result in lower water pressure or intermittent supply in some areas at certain times of the day.

“Where this occurs, I ask for the public’s understanding. These are deliberate and necessary steps that allow reservoirs and trunk mains to recover, and they are what enable WAF to keep water available to as many Fijians as possible, and for as long as possible, under the operating conditions this dry spell has created.”

WAF is also working with the Fiji Meteorological Service and other agencies so its response can be adjusted as conditions change.

Cut unnecessary water use

Mr Tuisawau said water continued to flow normally in most parts of Fiji, but urged the public to conserve supplies before conditions worsened.

“Small, sensible changes now will help stretch available supply through the months ahead,” he said.

People have been asked to use water mainly for essential purposes and avoid washing vehicles, footpaths and driveways with running hoses.

The public has also been asked to avoid filling swimming pools and excessive garden watering, particularly during peak demand periods from 6am to 9am and 5pm to 8pm.

Households should repair leaking taps, toilets and pipes without delay.

Visible leaks, burst mains and suspected illegal connections on the WAF network should also be reported immediately.

Consumers can further reduce usage by taking shorter showers, turning taps off while brushing their teeth or washing dishes, using buckets instead of hoses and running washing machines only with full loads.

Businesses asked to conserve

Hotels, resorts, commercial establishments, industries and institutions have also been asked to review their water consumption and introduce conservation measures.

These include detecting and repairing leaks, reusing water where appropriate and reducing lawn watering.

Mr Tuisawau urged people to monitor WAF’s website and Facebook page for the latest information and to store water when advised.

The public should also monitor further advice from WAF, the Fiji Meteorological Service and the National Disaster Management Office as dry conditions continue.

Mr Tuisawau has asked WAF to provide his office with regular updates on water source conditions and give advance public notice wherever changes to supply are expected.

“Every litre conserved today helps ensure that water remains available to households, businesses, schools, hospitals and communities throughout this dry period.”

Leaks and water supply enquiries can be reported to the WAF National Contact Centre on 5777 or (679) 334 6777. The service is available 24 hours.