A $17million 20-megalitre packaged water treatment plant is expected to address longstanding water challenges in Tamavua and surrounding areas by the end of next year.
The project was officially launched by the Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services, and Transport, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, alongside Tui Tamavua, Ratu Apenisa Kalokalosere Loki during the groundbreaking ceremony at the Water Authority of Fiji’s Wailoku Depot.
Ro Filipe said for many years, communities along the elevated Tamavua corridor had faced persistent water supply issues, relying on outdated infrastructure, rainwater harvesting, and water carting.
“The existing Tamavua Water Treatment Plant, which was originally designed to produce 60 megalitres per day, has been stretched to operate at 75 megalitres per day to meet the increasing water needs of a growing urban population,” he said.
The new facility, he said, was a proactive response to those challenges.
“It will complement the existing plant, manage the additional load, and ensure a consistent water supply across the Greater Suva and Lami areas.”
Ro Filipe explained that during periods of heavy rainfall, high turbidity in the raw water supply affected treatment efficiency, often forcing the existing plant to scale back operations, resulting in low reservoir levels and service interruptions.
“So unlike traditional systems, this new packaged water treatment plant facility allows for a complete treatment cycle with faster implementation and provides flexibility for future expansion.
“As demand continues to rise, additional modules can be easily integrated, allowing capacity to grow without significant disruption or redesign.”
Following a transparent tender process, Caledonienne des Eaux SUEZ, a global leader in sustainable water management, was awarded the contract to deliver the project.
Ro Filipe said the initiative aligned with the Fiji National Development Plan 2025–2030 and Vision 2050, which recognise reliable water supply as a cornerstone for economic growth, public health, and community wellbeing.
