Viwa Island, Yasawa, Fiji, 11th October, 2013- The commissioning of the salt water desalination plant in Viwa Island in the Yasawa group later today marks a historic occasion for the villagers as they will now for the first time access clean water where they would previously rely on rainwater as their main source of water supply.
The commissioning of Fiji’s Water Desalination Project under the Pacific Environment Community (PEC) Fund marks the point at which the newly installed salt water desalination plant will be switched on and used for the first time by the Government and residents on Viwa Island.
“The project commissioning today will benefit approximately 240 residents living on the island by increasing access to a safe and more sustained supply of water. No doubt the outcomes of this project will complement other efforts being undertaken by the Government of Fiji to increase access to a sustainable and safe supply of water for all,” says PIFS Deputy Secretary General, Mr Feleti Teo.
“We hope that all the residents will take full advantage of the benefits that the desalination systems will provide and more importantly that there is a safe and sustainable supply of safe drinking water available all year around.”
Implementing such a project on outer islands is no easy task and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Embassy of Japan commends the efforts of the Department of Water and Sewerage, Water Authority of Fiji and the residents of Viwa Island who worked diligently and efficiently in the successful execution of the project.
The island of Viwa in the Yasawa Group is one of four sites –that are participating in the Fiji Water Desalination Project. The other sites include the islands of Kia and Kavewa in the Macuata Province andVanuavatu in the Lau group.
FORUM SECRETARIAT