THE 112,000 people in the greater Suva area without water supply over the past five days have been assured by the State that supply will normalise no later than Sunday.
Highlighting the matter as a national issue, Public Utilities Minister Colonel Pio Tikoduadua told Parliament yesterday that rehabilitation and repair works were nearing completion.
Mr Tikoduadua said every effort was being made to cart water to all affected Fijians living in Tamavua, Cunningham, Samabula, Lami, Delainavesi and areas beyond that.
He said the collapse of the two major trunk lines carrying water from the Waimanu pumping station wiped off 60 per cent of the water supply to these areas.
“Given that this was an unplanned disruption, securing water cart suppliers in the short period of time continued to be a challenge,” Mr Tikoduadua said.
He said as an immediate measure, WAF was carting water to affected areas from 5am to midnight daily.
“Because of the level of demand of WAF water delivery trucks, the authority has opened up its own filling pumps located at Jerusalem Rd in Nabua and Veisari plant.”
He said while Government was making every effort to supply water to affected areas, people who needed immediate assistance could call on the hotlines and water would be delivered.
“We also have a hotline which is 3346 777 or those on Vodafone and Inkk users 5777 and they will be assisted, and 3343 262 on fax if there are people who need water urgently.
“We have trucks that are circulated in all these areas given the changing situation of the demand on the ground.
“So if there are people who need water and have missed trucks as they come by, those are the addresses that I have given if they need water.”
The minister also urged people living in affected areas to call him directly on 9905303 if WAF was not responding to their needs.
“I want to assure the nation, particularly in affected areas, that we are doing our best to resolve the matter as soon as possible and hopefully before the deadline that I have already given earlier.”
