Waiqanake Villagers Frustrated with No Water Supply

We need a proper water source.

That was the outcry from villagers of Waiqanake outside of Lami as they continue to face no water supply for the past two months.

At the village yesterday, children were seen moving around with their buckets of clothes returning from a nearby creek after washing their laundry.

With no water supply they are unable to attend school.

And it has created a hurdle for women to care for their families and provide proper hygiene.

Village nurse Luisa Radiva expressed disappointment towards relevant authorities.

“Why was there no supply of water over the past two months, “ said Ms Radiva who has lived in Waiqanake Village for 20 years.

Keyasi Buitara, Luisana Gutuvea , Village Nurse Lusiana Radiva, Tarisi Kerekerelevu.

There has been ongoing email correspondence between Angelina Ram and the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) concerning the issue.

In the correspondence, WAF attributed the cause of water disruptions to the low inflow from the reservoir.

Certain areas including Waiqanake continue to experience reduced water pressure or temporary water supply interruptions.

“For the past seven days continuous we have not received a single drop of water in our taps,” Ms Ram said.

“There have also been incidents where they sent water carts with dirty water and when people have asked why water was dirty the water cart boys have said it’s from the river.”

Villagers of Waqainake have no other choice, but to use the nearby creeks as an alternative to bath and do their washing.

Questions sent to WAF for the past two weeks remained unanswered.

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