Residents of Drasa Avenue in Lautoka have made another call on the authorities to address the reoccurring overflow of sewage in the area.
Resident Hasmukh Patel said their constant complaints seemed to be falling on deaf ears.
“This happens regularly, the stench affects not just us but everybody in this area,” he said.
“Children walk past here every day, so there’s the hygiene issue as well.”
Mr Patel said the main issue is a chamber that constantly overflows, causing sewage to flow right down the drain along their homes.
“We have reached out to the council, and we received the usual automated message that they would get back to us.”
Mr Patel said the stench from the leakage was usually bad at night.
“I’m worried that my dogs will go down the drain and might be exposed to that leakage.
“I want the authorities to address it once and for all, it shouldn’t be that hard. This has been a reoccurring issue for the past five years.”
Lautoka City Council head of services Shalend Prem Singh confirmed receiving the complaint.
“We’ve just got the complaint, and I have sent my officers down there,” he said.
Mr Singh said all sewage overflow issues were handled by the Water Authority of Fiji.
“The Department of Environment can also intervene, but this could have been caused by blockage.
“The pumping station is overflowing but in this case it’s probably just blockage.”
WAF acting manager Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Peni Shute said, “Our team is looking into it.”
Discoloured foam forms on top of the wastewater mixed with sewage flowing along this drain on Drasa Avenue. Picture: SALOTE QALUBAU
The drain along Drasa Avenue in Lautoka which is usually filled with the sewage overflow. Picture: SALOTE QALUBAU.
