Government promises fix for Vunivere water crisis

The Government is exploring a long-term solution to persistent water shortages affecting residents of Vunivere Settlement in Seaqaqa, Macuata with plans to investigate a borehole while continuing emergency water carting.

Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mosese Bulitavu said immediate relief efforts were underway, with three water carting trucks deployed to refill the area's reservoir and supply affected households.

Mr Bulitavu said Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) teams and officers from the Seaqaqa District Office were working on the ground to restore water supply.

"WAF along with a team from the district office of Seaqaqa are on the ground trying to assist people with water carts."

He said the Ministry of Mineral Resources would begin scoping works for a potential borehole as part of a permanent solution.

"The mineral resources department (MRD) will begin scoping works for a potential borehole to ensure residents had sufficient water supply," he said.

Mr Bulitavu said the team would soon identify a suitable site for the borehole to address weeks of intermittent water disruptions.

"A third water cart truck has been sent to meet the needs of the households and refilling and water carting will continue today and for the next couple of days," he said.

He said the existing reservoir did not generate enough water pressure to supply all households.

"The water pressure is low which leads to many households having no access to water supply, we are working to find a permanent solution."

Mr Bulitavu said repeatedly refilling the reservoir would not provide a long-term answer. He added that the Government would also provide water tanks to affected families to increase water storage capacity.

"We will be providing water tanks to families to help store ample water when water carting happens," he said.

Residents say the prolonged water shortages have disrupted daily life across the sugarcane belt, affecting farmers, vegetable vendors, students, senior citizens and people living with disabilities.

Resident Ilisoni Nate said he had placed his faith in the Government to resolve the issue and remained hopeful that a permanent solution would be delivered.

He said the ongoing disruptions had made everyday tasks increasingly difficult for many families, with some students arriving late for school or missing classes because there was no water available at home.

Another resident, Atish Kumar, said he was still waiting for the promised water carts while hoping for a permanent solution to the long-running problem.

Mr Kumar said families had spent hundreds of dollars on fuel travelling to areas with water supply.

"We have to drive around in search for water to be stored in our containers and buckets for use, bathing has to be done at our relatives place which has ample water, yet, daily commute is a struggle," he said.