Government is in the process of developing a groundwater resource policy to protect water sources in the country.
Lands and Mineral Resources Permanent Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Neumi Leweni said groundwater is used by a large number of people in the country who obtain water from springs, hand-dug wells and boreholes.
He said with the rate of expansion by bottled water companies in Fiji, the Ministry has decided to take this step.
He added the policy aims to strengthen the management and exploitation of groundwater resources and will be the first policy on groundwater resources.
Considered as a valuable resource, pure water source free from contamination and stored in a natural reservoir, the policy will set the platform for proper management and preservation of this valuable resource.
Leweni said the Ministry is looking at the protection of these water sources by having protection zones given its vulnerability to over exploitation and damage.
The Ministry has also urged village and communities to set up water communities for the management of groundwater and water resources.
Leweni said the Ministry also reminds the public of the adage “You never miss the water until the well runs dry” as a reminder not to take groundwater for granted.
Last year the Ministry investigated 26 groundwater sources, in addition to the 17 groundwater boreholes drilled last year together with 6 boreholes drilled in the first quarter of this year.
Leweni confirmed over 200 private boreholes have been drilled in the Western Division for domestic and village water supplies, in addition to boreholes used for supplying Ba and Korotogo.
Of the smaller islands, Rotuma is supplied with groundwater from boreholes drilled in 1974 and recently successful boreholes have been drilled on Lakeba and Vanuabalavu.
Story by: Ronal Deo
