About 100 families in Vatutavui Village, Tavua, have been facing low water supply for the past three weeks.
Home to about 500 people, the village relies entirely on a solar-powered borehole. However, village headman Niko Sucuvakaivalu has had to ration its use to meet the high demand, forcing residents to depend heavily on water tanks, drums, and bottled water.
Relief provided by the Water Authority of Fiji’s supplied water tanks came to an abrupt halt recently after water carting services was stopped by Mr Sucuvakaivalu.
This prompted a number of villagers to raise their concerns about their depleting water supply.
Among them is Vatutavui drinking water committee president Kirikiti Biu, who called for the Government to step in and assist with the resumption of water carting services to their homes.
He said apart from their stored water, villagers now walk about walking 30 minutes to the nearest water source – a stream located more than 1.5 kilometres from the village.
“The biggest issue within this village is access to water. This started way back when the village was established,” he said.
“At times, we discussed ways to find a source of water.
“It’s the dry season now and there’s no rainfall. To top it off, we have children in school and elderly relatives who are sick.
“We really do need water to help our families.”
Mr Biu said this issue had prompted the community to form a water projects committee in 2017.
He said the committee was able to raise money for a borehole and the previous government provided tanks to a few households which would be replenished by the Water Authority of Fiji.
Questions sent to the Transport and Public Works Minister, Ro Filipe Tuisawau last Tuesday, as well as the Water Authority of Fiji last Sunday and Tuesday have remained unanswered.
