Water disruptions at Ovea in Bau, Tailevu have impacted more than 100 families over the past nine months.

Turaganikoro Waisake Tukana claimed Water Authority of Fiji officials said they were unable to provide regular supply because they “had no money”.

“This was not an issue two to three years ago,” he said.

“We would get water in our taps from 2pm to 5pm and at 6pm water would be turned off again.

“Things have been really difficult for us with no water over the past nine months, especially when the weather is hot.”

Mr Tukana said the water issue at Ovea had affected the most vulnerable village residents.

“Women with babies need water for washing clothes and bathing.

“It is a blessing we now have diapers compared with the past when there were only napkins because it would be hard to wash them with no water.

“Life at home is very hard because water is a vital resource for us — for washing clothes, sanitation and cooking.

“The Health Department came to visit us last year and there were discussions of having a flush toilet in the village but the main issue is the water supply, because they correlate.”

Mr Tukana said water trucks would only come if someone in the village called the WAF.

“The water trucks, if they come and fill our water drums today, they would only return after three to four days.

“There is no consistency from WAF, they only come when we call.

“The water drums we fill are for cooking, washing and boiling water for drinking and could last only two to three days at the most.”

Mr Tukana said they had raised their concerns with WAF.

“A WAF team came last year and we had discussions about the water interruptions at Ovea.

“They said it was hard for them to find a solution for Ovea and told us there was no money.”

WAF has not responded to questions sent on the concerns raised by the community.