Fiji is a country and archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean consisting of 300 islands and 540 islets scattered over 3,000,000 square km.
Only about 100 of the country’s 300 islands are inhabited. Suva is the capital of Fiji, located on its largest island, Viti Levu.
The country suffers from chronic water woes because of its aging water pipes, some over 100 years old.
The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) Water Sector Strategy 2050 report says that development pressure and climate change impact the country’s water infrastructure.
The Water Sector Strategy 2050 is Fiji’s first national strategy. It outlines the long-term vision and provides strategic direction for ensuring sustainable and resilient water and sanitation services for all citizens over the next three decades.
According to WAF, 829,110 Fijians have access to a water supply. However, many Fijians still experience persistent water shortages and water issues. The Water Authority estimates it will cost the country around $3 billion to overhaul its water infrastructure.
Water losses through leaks and pipe bursts are also a problem. Almost half—47%—of non-revenue water is lost from pipe bursts, which occur at 125 per 100 kilometers of water mains.
Aging water infrastructure and a lack of investment lead to water shortages caused by pipe bursts, leaks, other problems, and revenue losses. For these reasons, Fiji needs to fix its water infrastructure networks.
Another problem is the wastewater collection. While 82% of the Fijians have access to piped water, 28% have access to reticulated sanitation. Improving this number will cost up to $6 billion, says Richard Naidu, Fiscal Review Committee chairman, during the Saqamoli Talks dialogue hosted by the British High Commissioner, Dr Brian Jones.
The article in Fiji Times says that earlier reports show that WAF’s very low water tariffs make the department highly dependent on the government for funding. On the other hand, Fiji’s government has very limited financial capacity to respond to future shocks, especially regarding the water infrastructure. The solution is for the WAF to improve its regulatory pricing model to pay for its water infrastructure.
Mr Naidu also points out the deficient water bill in Fiji, at only 15 cents per 1000 liters of water, which is also an issue. He argues that because the government lacks the finances to fix the water infrastructure problems, it must get a regulatory pricing model right to be seen as a reliable partner to attract a public-private partnership.
Naidu says that water authorities spend about $300 million a year on capital revenue expenditure while only $46 million in revenue is collected from water.
Energy Fiji Ltd chairman Rokoseru Nabalarua, another speaker during the Saqamoli Talks, also highlights the need for WAF to be sustainable in its operation, maintenance, and capital expenditure. “One of the things that we did when I was with EFL was a thorough analysis of our customer base, look at what makes up our revenue, and be able to break it down to understand who the big energy users are,” he says.
He adds that WAF needs to properly tariff commercial and industrial customers because they are among the significant users. Correctly charging them would allow the Water Authority to run its operations sustainably.
“You don’t have to wait for the Government to decide what budget you’re going to get each year for your operating and capital expenditures,” Mr. Nabalarua states.
Once the WAF is set up commercially, dealing with financial institutions like the ADB and World Bank will be easier.
Sitiveni Rabuka, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, discusses The Water Sector Strategy 2050: “This plan is more than just a blueprint for development; it is a promise—a promise to prioritize the well-being of our people.”
“Through strategic investments and innovative solutions, we seek to modernize aging infrastructure, enhance water quality, and expand access to reliable services. By prioritizing efficiency, resilience, and inclusivity, we aim to safeguard this precious resource for future generations,” Mr Rabuka adds.
Sources:
Magimagi, S. (2024, May 14). Infrastructure crumbles ‘under pressure’ | ‘Some water pipes as old as 101 years causing significant problems’. The Fiji Times. Retrieved from https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/infrastructure-crumbles-under-pressure-some-water-pipes-as-old-as-101-years-causing-significant-problems/
Fiji Water Sector Strategy 2050. (2024 April). Water Authority of Fiji. Retrieved from https://waterauthority.com.fj/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Fiji-Water-Sector-Strategy-2050.pdf
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