RESIDENTS of Tavua have issued a call to action over the alleged discharge of wastewater into the Nasivi River, which they claim is emanating from the Tavua Hospital.
The issue was raised at a press event in Tavua this week, the first by Tavua-Vatukoula Landowning Unit chairman Tevita Ralulu and the second by Tavualevu villager Nemani Waka.
However, a Tavua Hospital representative refuted the claims of the discharge being released from the facility into the Nasivi River.
“There is no direct discharge of any sewers from Tavua Hospital,” she said.
“We have our own sewer system as per clinical ways. There is a different protocol altogether.”
Mr Ralulu claimed the hospital discharges dirt into Nasivi River, and this has affected the villagers who use the same river down to the sea for fishing
He said wastewater was also seeping into their plantations and farms.
“It has destroyed our sugarcane farms and soil. It is directly opposite the hospital in Tavua, the land we are leasing.”
Transport and Public Works Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the issue of discharge would be covered by the environmental legislation.
“We will look into that in terms of the discharge to the Nasivi River and the waste management,” Ro Filipe said.
“The WAF staff are noting that, and we will follow up on that immediately.”
Water Authority of Fiji CEO Seru Soderberg said there was a legislation in place that governed the issue, and that discharging wastewater into the environment was not allowed.
“If they’re discharging wastewater, there should be a septic tank available for that,” he said.
“So, as reiterated by the Honourable Minister, we will have the team across tomorrow to check on the discharge.”
