WAIVEVO, TAVEUNI – For the 80 residents of Loloi Settlement, access to safe drinking water has long been a daily struggle — one that has affected the health and wellbeing of families living just steps away from the Taveuni Subdivisional Hospital and key government offices.
This afternoon marked a turning point for the community as the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Hon. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, officially commissioned the development of a new water supply system — a project set to transform lives.
Despite its proximity to essential services, Loloi Settlement has been categorized as a high-risk community due to its reliance on an unsafe and unprotected water source. The existing system, made up of an open spring and aged, leaking galvanized pipes, has contributed to recurring cases of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, and leptospirosis.
Commissioning the project, Minister Lalabalavu reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to clean water as a fundamental pillar of public health.
“It is unacceptable that a community living in the shadow of our hospital should suffer from preventable diseases carried by unclean water,” the Minister said. “This project is a direct investment in the health security of the Loloi people. By protecting the source and building a resilient system, we are not just laying pipes; we are building a foundation for a healthier, more prosperous community.”
The newly commissioned project will directly address contamination risks through the construction of a protected spring box to prevent surface runoff and animal access, the installation of a reservoir tank, and the laying of 720 meters of new 2-inch PVC distribution lines to replace rusted and leaking pipes. Once completed, the system will deliver consistent, clean, and safe drinking water to all 14 households in the settlement.
The initiative is guided by the community’s own Drinking Water Safety and Security Plan (DWSSP), which has already been completed. Demonstrating strong local ownership, residents will support the project by fencing the water catchment area and building a protective shelter for the reservoir tank.
More than an infrastructure upgrade, the project represents dignity, protection, and peace of mind — ensuring that the people of Loloi Settlement can look forward to a healthier future with safe water flowing to every home.
