Improving the living standards of the rural communities through better accessibility to clean and safe drinking water and sanitation is one of the key priorities of the Fijian Government.
This was highlighted today by the Ministry for Works, Transport and Public Utilities permanent secretary, Mr Francis Kean at the commissioning of the second ecological water purification system (EPS) at Navatuvula village in Sawani, Naitasiri.
The first EPS was commissioned at Kalokolevu village in Lami about two months ago.
Mr Kean said his ministry’s aim is to install EPS into rural water supply systems to ensure the removal of contaminants before water is consumed.
“The incorporation of the EPS into rural water projects will take place after further monitoring of the results of the pilot projects by the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF),” Mr Kean added.
The successful implementation of the EPS in Navatuvula village is the result of partnership between the Ministry of Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for technical assistance, Department of Water and Sewerage as well as WAF.
WAF is also in the process of developing and implementing a similar pilot project at Delasui in Tailevu.
Twenty EPS systems have been installed in Navatuvula village, which is being used by about 300 villagers.
Navatuvula villager, 60 year old Mrs Viniana Kubu who has been living in the area for more than 30 years has welcomed the assistance by Government and other stakeholders.
“Before we had to boil drinking water every day and when it rained heavily, the water supply from the dam got contaminated,” Mrs Kubu said.
“We are very grateful and thankful for the help provided as now we have access to clean and safe water. Clean drinking water is very important for us because this contributes to ensuring a healthy life,” she added.
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