Sewer ‘Burst’, River Turns Black In Narere
"Most of us are not working so we depend on this river for daily consumption..." Lusiana Rokomarama Vunisaleka resident
Thursday 28 April 2022 | 10:27
Vunisaleka Settlement resident, Lusiana Rokomarama points to the polluted river. Photo: Wati Talebula-Nuku
Residents of Vunisaleka Settlement in Narere has to put up with stinking sewage stench for the past two weeks.
This was after a sewer pipe allegedly burst and spilled into the river.
Along with the pungent smell, the river has turned black.
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Lusiana Rokomarama, 48, said, most of the 34 houses in the settlement depended on the river for a living.
“This is not the first time this is happening,” she said.
“The smell is stronger at low tide and it is getting unbearable. This is the first time it has taken longer for the river to get back to its normal colour.
“It is so black that we can’t even see the bottom,” Ms Rokomarama said.
“Most of us are not working so we depend on this river for daily consumption.
“Now we cannot go out to fish or catch prawns and crabs. Prawns are seen floating, gasping for air.
“I’ve lived here my whole life and this needs to stop because we are the ones who are suffering. The relevant authority should go around and check their sewage plant to avoid this from happen.”
Ana Gukisuva, 58, said something needed to be done as most of those living at the settlement depended on this river.
“Before, we used to go fishing right in this river but now, we find less fish every time the sewer bursts into the river. Children are told not to go out swimming because of skin diseases.”
Questions were sent to the Water Authority of Fiji and the Department of Environment but no response was received when this edition went to press last night.
Feedback: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj
