A total of 11, 000 water tanks have been distributed in rural areas as part of the Rural Water Scheme.

Infrastructure Minister Jone Usamate, says these water tanks caters for more than 54,000 rural dwellers.

Usamate says the Water Authority is also carting water for non-metered rural communities at a cost of $10.8m

“Even though we have a budget of six million dollars, we know that here is a need to cart water, it’s still being done because water is an essential part of life.”

Usamate says a total of 84 percent of Fijians have access to clean and safe drinking water.

He has also urged rural water committees to identify the needs of villages and work accordingly.

The Minister says this is to ensure there is 100 percent supply of safe and clean drinking water to rural communities by 2031.