The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) has confirmed the bluish discolouration in the Nabua stream was caused by dye discharged into the sewer system, renewing calls for responsible waste disposal.
The dye became visible after the Nabua pump station tripped and overflowed, allowing the contaminated wastewater to enter the stream.
WAF’s chief executive officer, Seru Soderberg, said the incident coincided with a temporary shutdown at the pump station, which receives wastewater from across the central business district.
While the issue was quickly rectified, the discharge highlighted ongoing challenges caused by improper waste disposal. Mr Soderberg warned that dumping chemicals and other prohibited materials into the wastewater system could cause serious environmental harm, especially during overflows.
“It has an impact on the environment, or it actually breaks the infrastructure itself, and it’s costing taxpayers money to get it fixed,” he said.
He said the authority continues to encounter inappropriate items in the sewer network, including rags, shoes, blankets and sanitary products, all of which contribute to blockages, system failures and overflows.
“What we just request is better behaviour.”
He urged the public to only flush or discharge materials intended for wastewater systems.
“When people dump chemicals into the wastewater network, you kill the bacteria that help with the treatment of wastewater, so part of the by-product of that is the smell you get in Kinoya.”
He said improved public behaviour is critical to protecting infrastructure, the environment and public health.
