Water crisis at Daku Village will be addressed: Minister Vosarogo

Villagers of Daku on Kia Island, Macuata, will soon see renewed efforts to secure a reliable source of clean drinking water after previous attempts to construct a borehole failed.

Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimone Vosarogo, told this masthead that an airborne geophysical survey conducted last year, covering Kia Island and surrounding belts, is expected to provide a report this month.

“The report will pinpoint exactly where a sufficient and sustainable groundwater source is located,” Mr Vosarogo said.

He said that manually identifying a borehole site would take considerable time, but the survey will expedite the process.

Village water committee spokesperson Joana Finau described the ongoing struggle for clean water, saying the community currently relies heavily on rainwater for daily needs.

“We have a water well 200 metres from the village, but during dry spells it dries up. We often have to travel to Ligau to use well water for washing, bathing, and other household tasks,” Ms Finau said.

She is worried about the health impacts, particularly on children.

“On most days, my children and other children have to use seawater to brush their teeth and take short baths,” she said.

The Mineral Resources Department has previously conducted drilling at Daku Village but could not locate adequate groundwater.

Mr Vosarogo stressed that while rainwater harvesting remains an option, it is not a sustainable long-term solution.