The Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Hon. Filimoni Vosarogo, commissioned the Qelemumumu Community Groundwater Project in Macuata today (19.01.2023).
Minister Vosarogo said the project will ensure better supply of water to Qelemumumu village, Qelemumumu Primary School and Raranikawai cane farming community, which has a population of 340 people.
“This project significantly contributes towards Government commitment to the Sustainable Development Goal Six (SDG6); Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all,” Minister Vosarogo said.
“These three communities have collectively experienced dire water crises on an annual basis especially during the dry season when surface water sources dry up and rainwater harvesting is obviously inadequate.
“The projected water demand per day for the 340 beneficiaries is 34,000 litres and the new borehole water supply system yield can fill the five storage tanks with a volume of 50,000 litres in nine hours of continuous pumping.”
He urged community members to continue to use and maintain other available water sources, such as rainwater harvesting, to supplement groundwater.
“Groundwater must be wisely managed together with other existing water sources, and be prioritised for drinking purposes only. Groundwater resources must always be protected from contaminants and overuse, and should not be used as the ultimate water source,” Minister Vosarogo said.
“Government will continue with our responsibility to deliver to you the best of that which can be provided and must I remind you; that as a citizen of Fiji you too have certain responsibilities to uphold.”
“Please do support your water committees in any scheduled maintenance activities and also fundraising drives, this will ensure that access to water is not disrupted and the scheme is sustainable.”
The project was funded by the Government at a cost of $295,000.
