Valelawa villagers in Dreketi, Vanua Levu, have been denied access to safe drinking water for the past eight years after a nearby village shut off their metered water supply.
Resident Sonam Devi said they relied on water brought in from elsewhere in bottles and buckets because their local sources are unsafe for drinking.
Ms Devi said water from a creek in the mountains is only used for washing and household chores because it is unsafe to drink.
“We get water from there just for washing, but not for drinking,” she said.
She said at times, they had to travel to Labasa to store safe drinking water.
“This is if we finish water delivered by the Government to tanks around the area.”
Despite efforts at raising their concerns, she said their pleas have gone unheard.
“Now, a non-governmental organisation has offered to assist with the digging of a borehole to provide a more reliable water source.”
Ms Devi said they were now taking action to address the issue as they could no longer wait for the Government.
Efforts to get a response from acting Infrastructure Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau were unsuccessful.
