Water Authority of Fiji

03/11/2026

03/11/2026

⚠️ PUBLIC APPEAL: CONSERVE WATER NOW 💧

In line with the Minister for Fiji Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services, and Transport, Hon. Ro Filipe Tuisawau's call for careful water use, the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) is asking households, businesses, schools, and communities to prioritise essential water use and reduce unnecessary consumption.

For now, please:

❌ Put away the hose for washing cars and driveways
❌ Reduce unnecessary garden and lawn watering
❌ Avoid filling or topping up swimming pools
✅ Use water for essential needs
✅ Fix and report leaks
✅ Use buckets instead of hoses.

Fiji’s current El Niño event is likely to reach strong to very strong intensity and persist through the remainder of 2026 and into early 2027.

💧 Every litre conserved today strengthens our collective resilience.

SAVE WATER. USE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED.

Fiji NDMO

03/11/2026

FIJI'S WATER SOURCES UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE AS EL NIÑO CONDITIONS INTENSIFY

Fiji's water supply is coming under increasing pressure as prolonged dry conditions push 19 of the country's 44 operational water sources to critical levels, affecting approximately 24,600 people nationwide.

Minister for Fiji Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services, and Transport, Hon. Ro Filipe Tuisawau, informed Parliament today (3 November 2026) that the Western and Northern Regions have reached Crisis Response levels, while the Central Eastern Region is under Early Action measures. The Western Region remains the hardest hit, with 18,798 people affected, followed by 3,510 in the North and 2,276 in the Central Eastern Region.

Of particular concern is Vaturu Dam, which supplies water to Nadi and approximately 70 per cent of Lautoka, serving around 223,000 people. The Minister warned that the dam could fall below its critical level around 8–9 November if current conditions persist. Fiji Meteorological Service forecasts indicate a very high chance of very dry conditions through December, with El Niño likely to remain strong into early 2027.

Minister Tuisawau urged households, businesses and communities to conserve water by limiting non-essential use, fixing leaking taps and avoiding activities such as washing cars and watering gardens. Government, through the Water Authority of Fiji and relevant agencies, continues to monitor water sources and coordinate measures to protect essential supplies.

the full Ministerial Statement by Hon. Tuisawau in the video below.

Source: Fiji Government & Parliament of the Republic of Fiji

03/11/2026

FIJI'S WATER SOURCES UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE AS EL NIÑO CONDITIONS INTENSIFY

Fiji's water supply is coming under increasing pressure as prolonged dry conditions push 19 of the country's 44 operational water sources to critical levels, affecting approximately 24,600 people nationwide.

Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, Hon. Ro Filipe Tuisawau, informed Parliament today (3 November 2026) that the Western and Northern Regions have reached Crisis Response levels, while the Central Eastern Region is under Early Action measures. The Western Region remains the hardest hit, with 18,798 people affected, followed by 3,510 in the North and 2,276 in the Central Eastern Region.

Of particular concern is Vaturu Dam, which supplies water to Nadi and approximately 70 per cent of Lautoka, serving around 223,000 people. The Minister warned that the dam could fall below its critical level around 8–9 November if current conditions persist. Fiji Meteorological Service forecasts indicate a very high chance of very dry conditions through December, with El Niño likely to remain strong into early 2027.

Minister Tuisawau urged households, businesses and communities to conserve water by limiting non-essential use, fixing leaking taps and avoiding activities such as washing cars and watering gardens. Government, through the Water Authority of Fiji and relevant agencies, continues to monitor water sources and coordinate measures to protect essential supplies.

03/11/2026

Fiji's water supply is under increasing pressure as El Niño conditions intensify, with 19 of the country's 44 water sources now at critical levels and approximately 24,600 people affected nationwide.

Government urges all Fijians to conserve water as authorities continue monitoring the situation and coordinating response efforts.

03/11/2026

GOVERNMENT STRENGTHENS WATER CARTING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO DROUGHT-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES

Sixty-seven water carting trucks have been deployed nationwide, while hundreds of thousands of litres of water have been transported by sea to maritime communities as Government strengthens its response to the ongoing El Niño drought.

Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, Hon. Ro Filipe Tuisawau, told Parliament today that the Water Authority of Fiji has delivered more than 885,000 litres of water by road since 30 October.

A further 810,000 litres has been delivered to communities in the Yasawa Group and Malolo, with another maritime delivery carrying 150,000 litres underway. Schools, health facilities, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and women and children remain priorities in water distribution.

To strengthen preparedness for worsening dry conditions, the Water Authority has developed a special response operation extending to April 2027, including 43 additional water carting trucks, six package treatment plants, four portable units, two reverse osmosis units and expanded maritime deliveries. The proposed operation has an indicative cost of $10.46 million, with additional operating requirements, and is subject to Government funding consideration.

Minister Tuisawau said the response will continue through close coordination between the Water Authority of Fiji, the National Disaster Risk Management Office, the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, Commissioners' Offices and Government Shipping Services. He also called on all Fijians to work together in conserving water and supporting affected communities as the country prepares for continued dry conditions.

PC: Water Authority of Fiji

03/11/2026

🚨 HON. RO FILIPE TUISAWAU UPDATES PARLIAMENT ON EL NIÑO DROUGHT AND NATIONAL WATER SUPPLY RESPONSE

Hon. Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, today delivered a Ministerial Statement in Parliament outlining Fiji's worsening El Niño drought situation, its impact on water supply across the country, and Government's coordinated response to support affected communities.

The Minister highlighted that, as of 1 November 2026, 19 of Fiji's 44 monitored water sources (43.18%) have reached critical levels, with approximately 24,600 people affected by intermittent water supply or relying on water carting.

💧 NATIONAL WATER SUPPLY SITUATION
Of the 44 monitored water sources nationwide:
🔴 19 sources – Critical (43.18%)
🟠 7 sources – Approaching Critical (15.91%)
🟢 18 sources – Normal (40.91%)

The Western Region remains the most affected, with 18,798 people experiencing water supply disruptions, followed by the Northern Region with 3,510 people and the Central Eastern Region with 2,276 people.

The Minister further highlighted concerns over Vaturu Dam, which supplies Nadi and approximately 70% of Lautoka, serving around 223,000 people. Based on current projections, the dam could fall below its critical level around 8–9 November 2026.

🚛 GOVERNMENT'S DROUGHT RESPONSE

Through the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF), in collaboration with the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO) and relevant Government agencies, several response measures are underway:

✅ 67 water carting trucks deployed nationwide.
✅ More than 885,000 litres of water delivered by road since 30 October.
✅ 810,000 litres of water delivered by sea to the Yasawa Group and Malolo, with further deliveries underway.
✅ Priority water supply assistance for schools, health facilities, elderly persons, persons with disabilities and vulnerable communities.
✅ Temporary pumps and other emergency measures installed to maintain water production.

Government is also preparing additional measures, including 43 more water carting trucks, mobile water treatment facilities and an expanded maritime water delivery operation to support communities through April 2027.

🌏 STRENGTHENING NATIONAL COORDINATION

The Minister confirmed that the Western and Northern Regions have reached the Crisis Response threshold, while the Central Eastern Region remains at the Early Action stage.
Government is pursuing a coordinated national response involving WAF, NDRMO, the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, Commissioners' Offices and Government Shipping Services.

💧 MINISTER CALLS ON ALL FIJIANS TO CONSERVE WATER

Hon. Tuisawau urged households, businesses, schools and communities to use water responsibly as very dry conditions are expected to continue into early 2027.

Members of the public are encouraged to:
✅ Use water only for essential needs.
✅ Avoid unnecessary car washing, watering gardens and hosing driveways.
✅ Repair leaking taps and report burst water mains.
✅ Store drinking water safely in covered containers.
The Minister also acknowledged the dedication of WAF staff and Government agencies working tirelessly to ensure affected communities continue receiving essential water supplies.

“Every litre saved today is a litre that stays in our dams and rivers for the weeks ahead.” Hon. Ro Filipe Tuisawau

The Minister reaffirmed Government's commitment to working with development partners on long-term water security solutions, including rainwater harvesting, water recycling, groundwater surveys and mobile desalination technologies.

🇫🇯 Government calls on all Fijians to stand together, conserve water and support one another as the nation responds to the El Niño drought.

Water Authority of Fiji The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji - MSAF Fiji Roads Authority Land Transport Authority of Fiji

02/11/2026

What do you know about El Niño?

🌡️ El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of a naturally occurring powerful climate pattern known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Shaped by interactions between the tropical Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere above, ENSO is a major driver of year-to-year changes in rainfall, temperature and extreme weather worldwide.

During an El Niño event, sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean become unusually warm and trade winds weaken.

🌡️ El Niño typically occurs every two to seven years. It generally begins developing between March and June and reach its peak intensity between November and February. El Niño events can last up to 18 months. But no two El Niños are exactly alike.

The most recent strong El Niño between 2023 – 2024 added a temporary warming effect on top of the long-term warming trend, contributing to 2024 becoming the hottest year on record.

🌡️ Climate change does not cause an El Niño. However, a warmer ocean and atmosphere can add heat and moisture to the climate system, which may worsen some ENSO-related extremes, including heatwaves and heavy rainfall.