Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama [standing] looks on during the launch of the Rewa River Water Supply Scheme in Suva [Source: Fijian Government]

Approximately 300,000 people in the Suva-Nausori corridor will have better water supply.

This is after the signing of two contracts for the Rewa River Water Supply Scheme in Suva this morning.

During the signing, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says villages in Sawani and the areas around Siria will now enjoy access to clean, piped water for the very first time.

Bainimarama says as of right now, Fijians in the Suva-Nausori corridor get their water from the Waila and Tamavua water treatment plants, however, the population continues to grow.

“The strain on these existing systems is mounting, not only as the population grows, but as longer droughts, a result of climate change, threaten existing water sources. We need greater production capacity, and we need to be able to expand that capacity as demand continues to rise.”

Bainimarama says the completion of stage one of this scheme will add a minimum production capacity of 40 megaliters per day to Fiji’s national network of water infrastructure.

He says the new water system will be built in such a way that production can be further expanded as demand continues to grow.

Bainimarama adds that stage two of construction will double the system capacity to 80 megaliters per day while stage three will generate at a minimum of 100 megaliters of water a day.

“Even when we are beset by drought conditions, that water will continue to flow and the needs of our people will continue to be met. Even when we are besieged by future storms, this new system will be built to a high standard of resilience that can withstand the increasing frequency and ferocity of cyclones.”

The Prime Minister says that the construction and operation of this project will also create jobs.

Bainimarama adds that today they are closing the door on a future of water scarcity and poor water quality for the Suva-Nausori corridor and are laying a strong foundation for a new future.

Meanwhile, the total value of the two contracts stands at $266 million and covers the design, construction and operation of the scheme, along with the procurement of pipes, fittings, civil works, pipe laying and restoration works.

The construction is expected to take two to three years to complete.