Unit Conducts Audit To Check Illegal Water Pipe Connections

The Water Authority of Fiji’s Wastewater Unit is car­rying out an audit in the Western Division to check on illegal storm water pipe connections.

According to the unit’s team leader in the West, Yengtesh Permal, the illegal connections cause a load on the unit’s pumping stations.

Mr Permal revealed this at a public consultation held in Lautoka on Thursday night on the Natabua Wastewater Treatment Plant De-sludging and Odour Control Project.

He said one of the challenges faced by the unit was storm water going into the sewage system.

“We are carrying out a storm water audit and we have a team going house to house to check on the illegal connec­tions,” he said.

“This illegal connection is basically storm water con­nections from the down pipes which goes into our system when in fact it should go in the municipal councils drain­age system.

“And these illegal connections become a load on us at the pumping stations.

“We started the audit last year and we have already told some people to remove the illegal connections that go into our system.”

Mr Permal also told the gathering that some sewage pumping stations in the division were in existence for al­most 30 years.

He said the unit was now upgrading the pumping stations and treatment plants, and also upsizing pipes.

“There is also the issue of ageing infrastructure. Many pipes are sitting there for almost 40 years and that has to be replaced,” he said.

“Also, there is the issue of build overs where big buildings are built over the sewage pipes. If there is any blockage in those pipes then we will have to demolish the buildings.”

Mr Permal said the unit would start de-sludging works in Natabua then move to Olosara in Sigatoka and Navakai in Nadi.

Edited by Percy Kean

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