Wastewater overflow on Suva street caused by rubbish flushed into sewer: WAF

Foreign materials flushed into Suva’s wastewater network caused a pump failure that led to a wastewater overflow along Cummings Street this morning.

In a statement, the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) said the overflow occurred after pump control float switches at the Robertson Pump Station became entangled with large quantities of plastic bags, rags, wet wipes, clothing and other non-flushable items.

It said response teams attended the site immediately, rectified the fault and completed disinfection and cleaning of the affected footpath and surrounding area. The wastewater system has since been restored to normal operation.

The authority said the pump station was equipped with screening systems to trap such materials, but the volume of rubbish entering the system exceeded its capacity, causing the temporary pump failure.

WAF reminded the public that only wastewater and human waste should enter the sewer network and urged people not to flush wet wipes, nappies, sanitary products, rags, clothing, plastics, paper towels, cooking oil or other solid waste.

The authority said improper disposal of these items was a leading cause of wastewater blockages, pump failures, manhole overflows and damage to critical infrastructure, creating public health and environmental risks while diverting resources from essential maintenance and service improvements.