The water you use via the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) reticulated system is safe.
This was the assurance given following questions sent to WAF in relation to the results of the Fiji Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2021 conducted last year which said about 45 per cent of the 6000 households surveyed last year used drinking water contaminated with E.coli, with the highest levels in the Eastern Division (94 per cent).
In response to queries from The Fiji Times, WAF said it had 55 water treatment plants across the country “that fully disinfect water before distribution”.
WAF also said the raw water it sourced “undergoes various treatment processes of sedimentation, coagulation, flocculation, and filtration before distribution to consumers”.
“The water quality parameters are measured on an hourly and daily basis at WAF treatment plants, as well as in the distribution network to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (MOH standard),” said WAF.
“In addition, WAF has a weekly surveillance and monitoring program for water quality for big systems like Suva, Nausori, Nadi, Lautoka, and Labasa.
“To ensure WAF continues to produce drinking water quality of the highest standard, 55 water safety plans are in place for all the systems.
“A water safety plan is a comprehensive risk assessment and risk management approach that encompasses all steps in a drinking-water supply chain, from catchment to consumer.”
WAF said the plans were periodically reviewed every three years.
“As for your questions which refer to the inaugural Fiji Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2021, it is our understanding that it is targeted at rural water schemes, which are not operated by WAF.
“The results highlighted in this survey are for households not currently connected to the WAF system.”
According to the MICS, 82.9 per cent of the respondents received piped water into their dwelling, 8.5 per cent into a yard/plot, 0.8 per cent through a neighbour and 0.6 per cent through a public tap.
The survey also revealed 1.1 per cent received supply through a tube well/borehole, 0.4 per cent through a protected well, 0.3 per cent through a protected spring, 2.5 per cent through rainwater collection, 0.2 per cent through tanker truck, 0.2 per cent via cart with a small tank and 0.2 per cent through bottled water.
The MICS revealed in terms of unimproved sources, 0.1 per cent received supply via unprotected well, 0.4 per cent through unprotected spring, 1.3 per cent via surface water and 0.4 per cent through other means.
