February,2012 Volume 3, Issue 2

VISION

Is to effectively and efficiently deliver qual-ity drinking water and wastewater services in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

MISSION

The Water Authority of Fiji is committed to operating as an Independent, efficient, effective and finan-cially viable water sup-ply and waste water service provider deliv-ering agreed levels of service to the people of Fiji.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

FLOOD REHAB WORK 2

THANK YOU NOTE 3

MIKE’S STORY CONT 3

PAYMENT SYSTEM

LAUNCH

4

MICHELLE’S GOOD-

BYE MESSAGE

6

PROJECT STORY 7

WEST REHAB WORK

PICTORIAL

8

9

WAF staff

contribute to

flood affected

families

On behalf of all the

staff at the Water Authority of

Fiji, the Acting Chief Executive

Officer, Opetaia Ravai made a

donation of $3704.15 to the

PM’s Flood Appeal Fund.

The donation was received by

the Permanent Secretary for

Regional Development, Colo-

nel Inia Seruiratu earlier this

month.

Mr Ravai presented the

cheque to Colonel Seruiratu at

the Water Authority of Fiji’s

Boardroom, Manohan Building,

Nasinu.

“We are left speechless at the

sight of the flood affected ar-

eas in the greater parts of the

Western Division that the me-

dia brings to us each day,” Mr

Ravai said.

“The magnitude of the destruc-

tion caused is unimaginable.

“It has affected the lives of

thousands of our people and

may include our friends and

relatives of those we know.”

Mr Ravai said the overwhelm-

ing reports by the media

encouraged the spirit of

charity here at WAF and

thus our contribution to-

wards DISMAC’s effort to

restore the lives of those that

were affected during the

flood.

“Stories told by these peo-

ple are overwhelming when

they talk about lives and

property and their escape

to safer ground.

“Many get tears in their eyes

when they think of their

homes, businesses and all

that they lost in the floods

that hit them.

“Now most of them are left

within close to almost noth-

ing but the clothes on their

bodies and their loved ones

around them.”

He emphasized that the

victims of the floods primar-

ily need food, clean water,

clothing, tents and other

basic requirements includ-

ing health facilities.

“Fear of outbreaks of

deadly diseases like cholera

which would highly affect

the children who are most

vulnerable.

“It is crucial that the environ-

ment remains hygienic to

prevent such outbreaks,” he

said.

“We here at WAF would like

to help these affected citi-

zens and we are confident

that through DISMAC, their

tomorrows will be improved

for the better.”

Colonel Inia Seruiratu,

thanked the staff for their

contribution towards DIS-

MAC’s relief effort.

“Water Authority of Fiji plays

an important function in

rehabilitation work in the

West and we have noted

the amount of work that has

already been carried out to

ensure water supply is pro-

vided to all the residents,”

he said.

“We here at WAF would like to help these affected citizens and we are confident that through DISMAC, their

tomorrows will be improved for the better.”

A/CEO, Mr Opetaia Ravai Page 1

Regional Development Permanent Secretary Colonel Inia Seruiratu and Acting—CEO Opetaia Ravai

during the cheque handover conference at the WAF’s boardroom last month.

Joint effort to restore water supply

“ Water

Authority has

spent $2million

on pumps alone

as brand new

pumps were

damaged during

the floods”

Visiting flood affected Western Division

Maika Nagalu

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Ba devastation

“The flood had not only

left people homeless but also most of

our infra-structure

mostly in Ba, Rakiraki,

Lautoka and Nadi were completely

washed away living most

families with no water”

Nadi were completely

washed away leaving

most families with no wa-

ter. My experiences is

based on my trip to the

Western Division upon the

instruction to report on the

damage.

I left for the West on Fri-

day, 27 January firstly to

My personal ex-

perience of the

recent flooding

were beyond ex-

pectations. The

flood had not only

left people home-

less but most of our

infrastructure in Ba,

Rakiraki, Lautoka and

Nawetikuma, Nadi before

heading down to Ba the

following morning.

Saturday January 28

Upon arriving in Ba, I had the

chance to interview Supervi-

sor Naresh Chandra on the

situation there and he told

me that all our intakes were

Page 2

Hired trucks, Water Author-

ity of Fiji vehicles and Re-

public of Fiji Military Force

lorries are being used to cart

water to areas receiving

intermittent or no water sup-

ply in and around Ba.

WAF released a statement

yesterday outlining the ar-

eas where carted water is

being delivered to and the

positions of 1000-litre tanks

at schools in affected areas.

WAF said schools that had

tanks for students' drinking

water needs include Veisaru

Indian, Ratu Filise Memorial,

Ratu Filimoni Memorial,

Khalsa Primary, Ba Method-

ist, Rarawai Muslim and Na-

mosau Mission.

Areas where water is being

carted include Vunisamaloa,

Korovuto, Koronubu, Khalsa Rd,

Field 27, Navatu, Navoli, Tevoro

Lane, Mataniqara, Votua,

Natutu Old Village Rd and Va-

ravu.

"Areas where water tanks are

situated for affected residents

to use include Sorokoba,

Natutu Village, China Railway

camp, Votua Indian settle-

ment, Civic Centre (RFMF), Ba

Police Station, Varavu Ceme-

tery Road and Vunisamaloa

settlement," WAF said.

In Lautoka, a WAF team is

working on desilting and clear-

ing boulders from the Nalau

and Buabua intakes. Clean-up

operations at Buabua Dam are

at 80 per cent completion and

water trucks are continuing to

service affected residents in

Drasa, Teidamu and Tomuka

Top.

Source: Fiji Times

$5million

for water rehab

Water Authority of Fiji has set a budget of approximately

$5million for rehabilitation works in the Western and Northern

division.

Water Authority of Fiji Acting Chief Executive Opetaia Ravai said

this includes costs of repairs to infrastructures, treatment of

sewerage plants and pipes and water truck expenses. Ravai said

WAF is working on their operational budget and extra fund from

government to concentrate on the restoration of water supply in

affected areas.

"The experience from the floods should serve as a good lesson

for us and we have to think outside the box and be creative

and more prepared."

Meanwhile, seventy per cent of affected areas in Ba now have

access to clean source of water. According to Ravai, 15 mega

litres of water per day is been transported to the areas daily in

water trucks to boost the supply. With rehabilitation works still

continuing, WAF officials are waiting for waters in the Moto

River to recede so they can resume work on the damaged

pipes.

Source: Fiji Live

WAF employees and volunteers carting water to residents in Ba

SHANGRI-LA RESORT

COMMENDS AUTHORITY FOR RESTORATION WORK

Greetings from Shangri-

La's Fijian Resort & Spa.

I am writing to you to per-

sonally thank you and your

teams for the fantastic work

that was carried out under

extremely difficult situations

during the last few days.

I know that WAF is often the

brunt of much criticism and

negative comments, how-

ever I have only praise for

the actions of yourself and

your staff.

It is impossible for me to

personally thank those that

were involved but I do

hope that you will find a

way to thank them

for their fantastic work in

ensuring that over 1200 visi-

tors to Fiji were not unduly

affected in a negative way

during their stay here in Fiji.

With Tourism being the

number one money earner

for Fiji it is critical that visitors

to our shores return home

with a positive impression

of our country, despite the

prevailing bad weather

conditions.

By ensuring that we had

water for them to use you

and your teams have

gone a long way to ensur-

ing that we had water for

them to use. You and your

teams have gone a long

way in ensuring that.

I understand that WAF has

been under considerable

pressure since mid Decem-

ber and I thank you again

for all your actions. I intend

to visit Suva in the early part

of next month and I would

be very happy if I were to

be able to thank you in per-

son.

Vinaka Vakalevu and I re-

main respectfully yours.

“I know that WAF

is often the brunt

of much criticism

and negative com-

ments, however I

have only praise

for the actions of

yourself and your

staff”

General Manager

Shangri– La’s Fijian

Resort & Spa , Mr Mi-

chael Monks

the pumps running by Monday.

They had started digging

manually and were using the

compressor to stir up the mud

and sand inside the pump well

before bailing it out.

Monday January 30

In Tavua, we went to the site

where our water main that sup-

plies water to Yaladro had

been washed away by the

flood. About six lengths of -

destroyed and parts of our

pumping station was washed

away. There was no raw water

at Waiwai Treatment Plant

and at the same time WAF

was trying to place water

tanks in strategic locations

around Ba. Water trucks con-

tinued to replenish these wa-

ter tanks and service residen-

tial areas.

Mr Alipate Maya informed me

that they had been changing-

shifts throughout the day and

into the evening to get one of

WAF employees taking a break from their work

at a rehabilitation site in Ba.

Continued from page 2

Page 3

Nadi team

withstands

the pressure

Inspite of overwhelming

consumer demands for wa-

ter supply,maintenance,and

upgrading, Mr Philip Sidal

and his team at Navakai,

Nadi have stood the times

and are demonstrating their

professional and holistic ap-

proach to maintaining de-

cent services and customer

relations.

I hope this sensitivity compo-

nent of work ethics is held

contagious and the staff are

motivated for improve-

ments.

My sincere appreciation.

Bayant Singh

WAF launch bill payment system

WAF Acting CEO, Opetaia

Ravai with Carpenters Fiji

representatives, Mr Gun-

asegeran Pasupathy and

Mr Culden Kamea during

the bill payment system

launch.

Customers of the Water Au-

thority of Fiji will now be able to

pay their water bills at any

Morris Hedstrome Supermarket

near them.

This after WAF launched its Bill

Payment system with Carpen-

ters Fiji at the Water Authority

of Fiji Boardroom, Manohan

Building, Nasinu last month.

Carpenters Fiji joins a list of

other bill pay agents; Post Fiji,

ANZ, Westpac, BSP, Digicel

and Vodafone in ensuring that

WAF customers have the vari-

ety of options available to

make their bill payments.

The service will require custom-

ers to register their water meter

account numbers with Car-

penters Fiji.

Customers are advised to

present their water bills while

making their payments.

“It is another way of making

bill payments less of a hassle

because some customers,

especially those with very

tight schedules don’t have

the time to line up at the

cashiers or come to our of-

fice to pay for their bills, so

this is very convenient for

them,” Acting General Man-

ager Customer Services, Mrs

Tevita-Singh said.

“Also, a major objective of

corporatization is to ad-

vance WAF services to its

customers through continu-

ous improvements and

through the use of innova-

tive ideas to make payments

easier and less stressful.

“Having Carpenters Fiji on

board is a great way for us

to achieve this objective.”

Acting Chief Executive Offi-

cer Opetaia Ravai said it

was a wise decision for WAF

to partner with Carpenters Fiji

Ltd not only because of its

diverse market coverage but

because Carpenters Fiji and

its supermarkets located

around the country will pro-

vide more convenience to cus-

tomers which is key for us here at

the Water Authority of Fiji.

“When customers now shop at

MH Stores they have the oppor-

tunities to pay their bills as well,”

he said.

Carpenters Fiji Ltd Group IT Man-

ager Gunasegeran Pasupathy

said customers are going to

benefit in terms of trading con-

venient as their stores is open

seven days a week

“We are expanding our outlets to

include the Mobil Service Stations

centers which gives another 22

outlets in addition to MH stores

around the nation,” said Mr Pasu-

pathy

WAF is urging all customers to

take advantage of this service as

it will save them time and travel-

ling costs when paying their bills.

“When

customers now

shop at MH

Stores they now

have the

opportunities

to pay their bills

as well”

Continued from page 3

tirelessly to speed up reha-

bilitation work in most of

the affected areas.

Tuesday January 31

We were on our way to

Buabua and went up as

far as the second bridge

where we had to walk

about 2.5 kilometers to

reach the dam due to the

wet road condition. Work-

ers had to walk up to

reach the dam. They

walked back later in the

evening. Materials and

fittings had to be carried

by the excavator to the

150mm that supplies

treated water running

across the Nasivi River was

washed away. Supervisor

Tavua Mr Inoke Rauga

said that they had to

divert supply from

Malele Reservoir to

feed residents at Yala-

dro. A recently laid

375 mm by the Pro-

jects last year from

Masimasi to Tavua

which is scheduled to

be completed this

year was also washed

away by the flood.

The men were working

dam or at times the vehi-

cle carrying all the materi-

als had to be towed by an

excavator to reach the

dam while workers

walked. The dam was full

of stones and debris.

In the evening, I went to

our Moto work site where

our team had been laying

two pipes across the Moto

River and met the Acting

CEO, Opetaia Ravai who

was in Ba to check on the

rehabilitation work in the

West.

Page 4

gravel from the creek and burying

exposed mains that were washed

away by the flood waters. I man-

aged to continue my journey to

Vaturu Dam and noticed that wa-

ter was still overflowing from the

spill way.

Friday, February 3

I made my last trip to Moto Bridge

and noticed that work had not

started because the bridge was still

flooded. Our teams were however

on standby to start work once it

was safe for them to do so. Al-

though I left for Suva later that day,

I was truly humbled by the commit-

ment of the workmen to restore

supply to those affected by the

flooding.

Wednesday February 1

I went to Ba again today, I in-

tended to travel up to the Wai-

wai Dam but we had to turn

back due to the deteriorating

state of the road. We walked

about 3km to reach the dam.

When we returned to Moto

Bridge , we found that it was

still flooded because of the

heavy rain from the previous

night

Thursday, February 2

I went to check on the Irish

crossing that leads to Vaturu

Dam that was washed away

by the flood. An excavator

had been working on clearing

Continued from page 4

WAF employees sorting

the water pipes before it

is laid across Moto River

in Ba.

It is a huge undertaking given

the circumstances.

However, it is good to know that

WAF is on the job and working

to provide the service.

Already 12 inch pipes have

been laid across the Moto River

and work on the access road to

the Waiwai Dam continues.

As of yesterday morning Waiwai

dam had started supplying to

residents in Ba who were af-

fected by the flood. Water was

supplied to those living at the

Waiwai junction to Moto bridge,

Kalaiya, Nasolo, Vatulau, Tarivo

road, Namosau, Yalalevu,

Nailaga, Varoko, parts of

Sarava, Navatu, Vadravadra,

Nataleicake and Sorokoba vil-

lages.

Water trucks have also started

servicing affected residents.

Water supply has also normal-

ised in Labasa after disruptions

from a burst main in Navau,

Macuata.

Heavy rain and flooding

blocked WAF intakes at

Nasealevu and Navau and the

only raw water received in the

morning was from boreholes in

Nakama and Nasarava intakes.

Elsewhere work is continuing to

bring normality to the lives of

It has been a tough and trying few

weeks for the Water Authority of Fiji

(WAF) as it tries to bring some sem-

blance of normality to long-

suffering consumers, especially in

the wake of the recent floods in

the Western and Northern divisions.

This comes as the Government sets

its focus on improving water sup-

plies in the wake of the floods, with

Provincial Development and Natu-

ral Disaster Management Perma-

nent Secretary Lieutenant-Colonel

Inia Seruiratu saying they are work-

ing closely with the WAF to ensure

affected families have immediate

access to safe drinking water.

The authorities are now resorting to

other options such as providing

water tanks and other sources to

supplement what WAF provides.

It also comes as WAF announces it

has set aside a budget of approxi-

mately $5 million for rehabilitation

works in the Western and Northern

divisions.

This includes costs of repairs to in-

frastructure, treatment of sewerage

plants and pipes and water truck

expenses.

All the while WAF employees are

working round the clock to repair

water pipes and infrastructure so

that affected families can have

safe and clean drinking water.

residents. Water is an everyday

necessity. To live without it is at

best unbearable.

It is because we rely on water

for almost everything we do in

our homes … from washing, to

cooking, to bathing etc, which is

why we have to be patient and

thankful for everything the WAF

is doing to resume service to

affected areas.

Full marks to Opetaia Ravai and

his team in this trying time!

Page 5

“We walked

about 3km

to reach the

dam”

“Water is an

everyday

necessity. To

live without it

is at best

unbearable”

Trying time for the Water Authority of Fiji

Source: Fiji Sun Editorial

Water carting was provided to

residents following the flood

devastation in the West.

Scooters are not only user friendly but quite economical.

And this is why the Water Authority of Fiji sponsored ADB Project

Team has opted to use scooters as a mean of transportation

while carrying out project work.

ADB projects Manager, Mr Roly Hayes said the scooters were

hired to assist his team with transportation and site inspection

purposes.

Made in china with its small 110cc engines, these scooters con-

sumes less fuel, is easy to operate, and can transport his team

to any of their project sites, even sites inaccessible to traffic.

Mr Hayes also reiterated that the scooters were brought in with

the initiative to reduce vehicle hiring costs and at the same

time being an environmental friendly organization.

Three of his site supervisors underwent driving training and tests

and are currently issued with licenses to operate these scoot-

ers.

The WAI news team caught up with two of the site supervisors

at our headquarters car park before they were out and about

on their scooters.

Site supervisor, Mr Apenisa Wainiqolo said the scooters were

quite fun to operate and convenient to park anywhere around

town. These scooters were hired from “West Side Motor Bikes”

and will be later introduced to other departments in the com-

ing months.

A scoot start for

WAF project team

WAF bid adieu to Michelle

Until We Meet Again...Thank you!

I remember the first day when I

walked in to the Customer Service office in June of 2010, everyone hov-ered around their tables and com-puters quietly working and for some “pretending to be working”, followed by the shy smiles and curious whis-pers of having a new face in the of-fice. I was summoned by Mr Ravai and almost immediately quickly nudged into his office.

After a few words of encouragement, expected challenges and outcomes I was pointed toward my team, the “fabulous 5”; JC (Jo Cava), Maika “Tyson” Nagalu, Gabby “DJ” Riga-moto, Matakibau “Tuxedo” Baleiniusi-ladi and Vaciseva “AVO” Lido. Now this looked like a promising lot of individuals.....and it certainly has.

This marked the start of a great pro-fessional and personal journey of respected colleagues and trusted friendships.

We have said good-bye to a few along the way, JC and Tux and welcomed a few more into the family, Lordy and Lela. Thank you for all your commit-ment and support, it has been a pleasure and it is only too soon that

we are now at farewells.

Throughout the 2 years that I have worked at WAF, I am truly humbled and blessed to have worked with such pro-fessionals; The WAF Board Chairman and Board of Directors, the Acting CEO, the General Managers, the Regional Managers, the Executive Office, the Personal Assistants, the Team Leaders, the Supervisors, team Customer Ser-vices and the WAF family, who if all named individually would take another 3 Wai News issues.......Vinaka Vakalevu. This has been a great journey and I thank you all sincerely for your support and for putting up with my hystericals..of which I know that you will all miss.

I apologize for my shortfalls and I am grateful that you have given me the opportunity to improve.

Thank you WAF for the memories and I wish you all the best. God Bless you All.

Faiak’sia & Ni Sa Moce

Michelle Tevita-Singh (Kaila!)

[Team Leader Corporate Communications (2010– 2012)]

[Acting GM Customer Services (2011– 2012)]

Page 6

Corporate Communications team: Mike, Va,

Michelle, Kelera and Gabby.

Va and Michelle last year

Sekove, Michelle, Veveni, Vasiti, & Ma-

takibau.

Va, Mereseini, Michelle and Emi With GM– Project, Mr Timoci Turaga

Michelle with Act CEO, Opetaia Ravai

Those WAF moments

He said most of the villag-

ers have water tanks in

their various homes.

However, during events

of a drought they had to

walk down to another

village which is about 400

meters from their village

to fetch water and their

women walk the same

distance to do their wash-

ing.

Project Leader, Masimino

Raga said his team is

made up of 10 workers

and they have engaged

an excavator to help out

in the digging of the

trenches.

Close to 30 per cent of

the work has been com-

pleted.

“The total estimated cost

of this project is about

$300, 000 and whatever

funds leftover from last

year enabled the work to

start this year and they

are still waiting for the al-

The Water Authority of

Fiji’s project team contin-

ues work in Tailevu in its

effort to restore water

supply at Matacula Vil-

lage.

Work started three weeks

ago.

Part of the work includes

construction of a reser-

voir and a pumping sta-

tion in Viwa.

This is to ensure that effi-

cient water supply is di-

rected to the village.

Village Headmen, Timoci

Naiduki revealed that for

the last 40 years, villagers

h a ve c o n t i n uo u s l y

voiced their problems to

politician and govern-

ment representatives

that came to their vil-

lage.

However nothing was

done to resolve water

issues for the villagers. But

now this has changed.

location to arrive this

year,” he said.

Mr Raga said workers are

now in the process of lay-

ing pipes.

Construction of the reser-

voir has yet to start.

Last year, a team from

WAF had visited the vil-

lage to discuss this project

with the village elders and

the chief of the clan.

In this meeting with the

village elders, it was high-

lighted that the villagers

were in dire need of effi-

cient and treated water

supply.

This was to be made pos-

sible through WAF’s Koro-

vou Distribution System.

The villages agreed that

they would provide the

man power during the

construction period.

Page 7

Introducing Water Supply in Matacula

WAF project workers

laying pipes

Rehabilitation work western Division Pictorial

Page 8

VISION

Is to effectively and efficiently deliver qual-ity drinking water and wastewater services in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

MISSION

The Water Authority of Fiji is committed to operating as an Independent, efficient, effective and finan-cially viable water sup-ply and waste water service provider deliv-ering agreed levels of service to the people of Fiji.

“Doing the

Right Job, Do

it Once, Do it

Right”

Rehabilitation work in the Western Division

Page 8

Workers taking a break at the Moto Bridge rehabilitation work site

Workers inspect pipes to be laid at Moto Bridge Act CEO, Opetaia Ravai visiting workers at the Moto

Bridge work site in Ba

Excavators were also used to carry supplies

Our team at the Vaturu Dam

Diggers were engaged to ensure speedy completion

of work at most of our rehabilitation sites

RM West Ilisoni Saladuadua and WAF water engi-

neer David Grinter inspecting the work site at Moto

Bridge

Page 9

VISION

Is to effectively and efficiently deliver qual-ity drinking water and wastewater services in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

MISSION

The Water Authority of Fiji is committed to operating as an Independent, efficient, effective and finan-cially viable water sup-ply and waste water service provider deliv-ering agreed levels of service to the people of Fiji.

“Doing the

Right Job,

Do it Once,

Do it Right”

Restoring water supply through water carting

and installation of water tanks

Water Source

A new water source found in Ba is

a great relief for flood stricken Ba

community.

The people of Ba can expect

their water supply to normalise in

a few days

This would mean that children

going to school and the sick will

have good supply of water. The

Water Authority in Ba is doing a

marvelous job.

Thanks a lot.

Dinesh Prasad

Lomawai

Source: Fiji Times Water carting to residents in Ba

Water trucks were in operation daily to service our customers .

Staff were rostered 24 hours to ensure that water supply was restored and that people were

adequately carted water during the flood recovery period for all affected residents

Page 10

VISION

Is to effectively and efficiently deliver qual-ity drinking water and wastewater services in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

MISSION

The Water Authority of Fiji is committed to operating as an Independent, efficient, effective and finan-cially viable water sup-ply and waste water service provider deliv-ering agreed levels of service to the people of Fiji.

“Doing the

Right Job,

Do it Once,

Do it Right”

Thank you to everyone who contributed towards this issue. Continue to forward all

your pictures and stories to the Corporate Communications Unit . Email:

mnagalu@waf.com.fj or kelera.serelini@waf.com.fj

VINAKA

Promoting healthy living in a workplace

In order for us to promote healthy living here at WAF, staff were

encouraged to participate in a physical activity of their choice. They participated in aerobics, volleyball and power walking. The OHS team had facilitated the programme. The programme will be organised on a weekly basis and will be held every Friday.

Julia (Finance) taking part in the volleyball competition Project staff in action

Ranjeeta and Shivani during our staff aerobics session Vaciseva Lido showing how it is done

Sima Draunidalo (instructor)

Di Va and Naca cooling down

Project staff attentively listens to instructions during WAF

staff aerobics session