Residents ask how they can wash their hands when there is no water to even drink

Thousands of people in parts of Lami, Suva and Nasinu are without water supply for the third consecutive day with the Water Authority of Fiji yet to confirm when water supply is expected to be restored to affected residents.

Residents are concerned that WAF is saying that they should expect to experience disruptions to their water supply until further notice.

WAF is even asking people now to store water for two to three days when it is available.

A resident of Tuirara in Makoi is asking how can they wash their hands every now and then when there is no water to even drink.

Sureshwar Prasad says water is a basic need and more needs to be done to fix this ongoing problem.

He says water carting trucks hardly come to their area.

Prasad adds when water carting trucks eventually come, they arrive when everyone is asleep at 12am.

Davuilevu Housing resident, Sangeeta Lal says they are without water supply at night at least five times a week.

The mother of three says she has a baby girl and her elderly mother to look after and they constantly need water.

She says she is also concerned about how safe it is to drink the tap water because when it does run, it is often brown and muddy.

A resident of Naqumu Point in Lami Andreas Frey says water cuts have become more frequent this month especially after Christmas.

Frey says he is now treating tap water before consumption.

They have bought a water tank as well.

The owner of a car wash in Nausori says business has been severely impacted by constant water cuts and low pressure.

Shiraz Ali had to invest in a water tank and pump for his business.

We have sent questions to the WAF.

In a post on its Facebook page, the Water Authority of Fiji is saying their reservoirs are experiencing low production levels due to high turbidity levels or dirt in the water caused by the recent heavy rain.

The increase in raw water turbidity also caused major water disruptions in the Suva to Nausori corridor two weeks ago.

At the time, WAF stated that excessive turbidity is experienced at the beginning of every rainy season as silt and dust from the dry period gets deposited into major rivers by floodwaters and runoffs.

According to WAF, heavy rain loosens the soil or any other material on masses of land which then gets washed into the water, thereby increasing turbidity.

WAF had said when there is high turbidity such as this, as a health and safety measure, they have to reduce the inflow of raw water into the treatment plant.

They stressed that this is to ensure that there is proper settling time before treatment, so they can maintain water quality at a level that is suitable for consumption by customers.

You can call 1507 or 5777 to ask for a water carting truck to come to your area.

Thousands of people in parts of Lami, Suva and Nasinu face water cuts

Some residents have been without water for three days