Update: 4:55PM THE burst main which had resulted in the water disruption in most parts of Nausori is located in a heavily bogged down and soggy area and is part of pipes in the area that date back to the early 1980’s.
Water Authority of
Fiji (WAF) CEO, Opetaia Ravai said the pipes burst after soggy soil eroded,
causing the ageing pipes to shift and eventually burst.
He said WAF workers
have had to stabilise the soggy conditions in the area to allow them to lay
stronger pipes with supporting structures.
This response was
already part of WAF’s medium to long-term plans to replace similar ageing pipes
with stronger and more flexible polyethylene pipes that will be sourced
externally in the coming weeks.
“We apologise to
all our valued customers for the disruption to the water supply and for the
difficulties they are experiencing.”
WAF plans to
restore full supply in affected areas by 10pm tonight.
