The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources is carrying out airborne geophysical survey to identify groundwater sources to assist communities that do not have access to clean drinking water.
Minister Filimoni Vosarogo informed Parliament on Monday the survey, with the support of the Australian Government and Geoscience Australia, was being conducted using an aircraft.
“This allows us to survey large areas more rapidly and efficiently than ground based ERT (Electrical Resistivity Tomography) method,” Mr Vosarogo said.
“The survey was launched last month and will cover priority areas on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu where they are not being currently serviced by Fiji Water Authority, and where water scarcity is known to be an issue.
“So, recently there is a helicopter with around 30 diameter formation hanging below it that’s flying through certain parts of Fiji.”
He said the survey areas cover the Sigatoka Valley, Cuvu, Tuva, Malomalo, Wai and Momi, Vitogo flats to Lololo, coastal corridors from Tavua to Rakiraki. Tokemalo, Nalawa, Nalaba, Cakoilava and Matasu, Lomaivuna and the Verata Tuinamara corridor.
In Vanua Levu the survey area covers Dreketi to Seaqaqa, Sasa and Wailevu in Macuata including Tabia, parts of Labasa including Nadogo, Tomuka and Dogotuki, Udu peninsula and the southern part of Taveuni.
Mr Vosaroqo said this survey would run until November.
“It’s expected to produce hundreds, potentially thousands of drilling targets by December 2025.”
He said groundwater drilling was the final stage of the survey process.
“While science continues to reduce uncertainties, not all boreholes yield sufficient water.
“Currently, our ministry maintains a success rate of 80 per cent and with this new technology, we are hoping to raise this to 90 per cent.”
