GOVERNMENT is preparing to deploy 43 additional water trucks, six treatment plants and 10 vessels as Fiji braces for worsening water shortages under the El Niño drought.
Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau told Parliament yesterday that the Water Authority of Fiji had prepared a staged special operation to sustain the national response through to April 2027.
The plan included four portable treatment units and two reverse osmosis units, alongside a 10-area maritime response involving 10 vessels.
Ro Filipe said each vessel will have three technicians working around the clock and is expected to make at least 10 water supply trips.
“67 water cart trucks are operating nationally,” Ro Filipe said.
“More than $255,000 has been committed for carting in the current week alone, and since 30 October over 885,000 litres of water have been carted by road.
He said a further 810,000 litres had been delivered by sea to the Yasawa Group and Malolo through five trips between September 30 and October 30.
“The sixth trip, carrying 150,000 litres, is under way from 31 October to 7 November.”
Ro Filipe said the Government was also seeking Cabinet’s support for a national water conservation and public awareness campaign, including restrictions on non-essential water use.
He warned that the situation could worsen, with the proportion of critical water sources projected to increase from 43 per cent on November 1 to 75 per cent by the end of November and 82 per cent by January 2027.
“Every litre saved today is a litre that stays in our dams and rivers for the weeks ahead.”
