Fiji’s Department of Water and Sewerage, in partnership with the Korean Environment Corporation (KECO), will provide a low cost and environment-friendly treatment for sewerage systems in rural areas of Fiji later this year.
Further discussion on this issue is a major part of a two day final workshop on “Low Cost Sewerage Treatment Technologies for Rural Water and Sanitation Schemes”, which began in Lami today.
As he opened the workshop, the Minister for Works, Transport and Public Utilities said today’s meet was a result of a Research Contract Agreement signed between Fiji and KECO on the 17th of December, 2013.
“I would like to acknowledge KECO for the opportunity in collaborating with my ministry in conducting research on a newly improved Sanitation Technology called Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR). This technology should develop a Low Cost and Environmentally friendly treatment for sewerage systems in Fiji which has been researched, trialed and applied successfully in Korea,” Mr Natuva said.
KECO has provided over $7000 for the implementation of a low cost waste water treatment pilot project in rural areas here.
“The introduction of this new technological system in the treatment of Waste Water in Fiji under this Seoul Initiative could reduce the threat of pollution to our water source, and environment and thus improve the health standard of living for our Rural and Urban dwellers,” Minister Natuva said.
He highlighted that the project is designed for capacity building of local staff in the areas of research and training on water and sewerage technology to support Green Growth in Fiji, which is critical for sustainable development.
Mr Natuva also pointed out that sanitation facilities in rural areas had been improving from pit latrines to water seal and septic tanks.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Fiji, His Excellency Mr Seong-in Kim was at the workshop today and said the Green Growth initiative in Fiji will help promote effective environmental policies.
“Since 2008, KECO has conducted 22 pilot projects in 14 countries and this year, it is working in countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka and Fiji. Water pollution and waste dumping has been identified as the threatening cause of environmental damage to Fiji through this project,” H.E Seong-in Kim said.
“Appropriate measures to improve sewage treatment systems and technical developments are essential.”
Director Water and Sewerage, Apisai Ketenilagi said the improved sanitation technology successfully implemented in Korea is currently being trialed at the laboratory here.
“Some laboratory piloting tests are being conducted before it can be trialed in one of the villages in Fiji. These sanitation technology systems are user-friendly, not very complicated, low cost as well as good for effectively and sustainably used in rural communities. The maintenance and operation methods are also simple,” Mr Ketenilagi said.
Close to 40 participants from key stakeholders involved directly in the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems and the close monitoring of its effects on the environment are taking part in the workshop.
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