WAF raises water shutdown concerns

The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) has raised significant concerns regarding proposed legislation that could allow authorities to shut down water supplies without prior consultation, potentially jeopardizing community access to safe water.

Appearing before the Standing Committee on Social Affairs to discuss the Public Health Amendment Bill, WAF officials emphasized that decisions impacting water supply must be collaborative. Chief Executive Seru Soderberg stated that any move to restrict or halt water access requires consultation with both WAF and the Ministry of Public Works.

"We say this because when you close down a water supply system, there are hundreds if not thousands of people that are going to be impacted," Soderberg explained. He highlighted the resulting sanitation challenges, particularly in areas where alternative water sources are not readily available.

Conversely, the Ministry of Health defended the proposed powers within the bill. Ministry representatives argued that these measures are crucial for preventing fatalities in situations involving hazardous contaminants like heavy metals and other dangerous substances. They assured the committee that such powers would only be invoked when public health faces a serious and immediate risk.

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We say this because when you close down a water supply system, there are hundreds if not thousands of people that are going to be impacted. There is a sanitation challenge that comes with it. In a lot of areas around Fiji, alternative supply is not readily available.