The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) will soon undertake consultations with agencies including the Commerce Commission of Fiji in its attempt to impose the Waste Water Discharge surcharge.
According to the Commission, the Authority failed to consult with the Commission on its plans to impose surcharge on industry wastes.
WAF acting chief executive officer, Opetaia Ravai in response said their decision was in accordance with the Water Authority of Fiji Promulgation 2007.
“The promulgation is clear in that fees may be charged where service is provided,” Mr Ravai said.
“If it is necessary for WAF to obtain the endorsement of the Commerce Commission, we will do so and we will move to satisfy any due process required to implement the surcharge.”
Mr Ravai said WAF is in the process of implementing the Trade-Waste Policy which deals with Industry wastes which requires the pre-treatment of waste water containing high concentration of toxic wastes prior to discharge into the sewer pipeline and onto the wastewater treatment plant.
The Waste Water Discharge Surcharge is:
- A fees paid by wastewater tankers for discharging wastewater at the Water Authority of Fiji’s Sewerage Treatment Plants, which has excessive levels of Carbon Oxygen Demand (COD) higher than the average domestic COD values ranging from 200-500mg/L.
- It involves surcharges on industrial wastes which inhibits treatment processes. The higher the COD the more the surcharge. COD is used for measuring the pollution strength of waste water when a mixed domestic-industrial waste is entering a plant or where a more rapid determination of the load is desired.
- The COD test has the advantage over the biochemical oxygen demand analysis because the result is known after a few hours as opposed to five days for the standard BOD test. This gives the operator a more timely idea of what is entering the plant and how the plant is performing. This permits closer operational control of the treatment process.
WAF charges a flat rate of 20c per unit of water consumed as sewage rates on properties connected to the sewer system.
Mr Ravai also highlighted that there is high cost associated with treatment of toxic wastes which is more costly compared to average household wastes therefore the Authority need funds to upgrade the Sewage Treatment Plants and ensure that the Authority satisfies effluent quality standards and the Environment Management Act.
“Industry waste is a concern to us. We do not want to impact negatively on the environment. They are bringing raw or toxic waste, the industries must be prepared to pay for the cost. The charges will be based on the volume of Carbon Oxide Demand,” he said
“The industries have to be aware that the surcharge will be to cover the high cost incurred by WAF and most importantly to protect the environment, we have to be environmentally responsible. Without notice, we’re going to treat waste but it will come at a cost.”
The Authority is however urging industries to comply with standards and to also try and pre-treat waste before disposing it at the treatment plants.
The surcharge is a stepped structure applied on truck loads with COD levels exceeding the average domestic COD values ranging from 200 - 500 mg/L.
The actual limits of the two or three steps to be adopted are still to be finalised.
“The important thing to understand is the fact that one of the primary objectives of the establishment of Water Authority of Fiji is the provision of an efficient, effective and economically viable entity; and Government expects a return on investment, compliance with EMA and the need for funds for efficient treatment processes,” Mr Ravai said.