HOUSEHOLDS must prioritise drinking water for babies and children over water used to prepare kava as Fiji continues to experience prolonged dry weather, Minister for Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau has warned.
Speaking in Lautoka on Thursday, Ro Filipe urged families, particularly those with young children, to put essential drinking and health needs first as water shortages continue to affect communities.
“Drinking water must be prioritised, particularly for health reasons and for families with babies and children ahead of using water for drinking kava,” he said.
He said intermittent rainfall had failed to adequately replenish water sources, leaving some communities without reliable supplies.
Affected areas included Nawaicoba in Nadi and Vanuakula Settlement in the interior of Lautoka.
Ro Filipe said the Water Authority of Fiji was assisting affected communities through water deliveries and the distribution of water tanks.
He warned that water catchments across the Western Division, Vanua Levu and Taveuni remained under threat.
He urged households to invest in water storage tanks and conserve available supplies for essential needs.
He said families needed to prepare for the continuing drought by ensuring they had adequate water stored at home.
