In Fiji, access to safe drinking water is limited and water shortages can pose a real threat to daily life and the health of the communities. GVI volunteers have been installing Rainwater Harvesting Systems to help increase the level of drinking water available across 5 islands.
The volcanic islands have limited natural water catchment due to the porous nature of the bedrock and villages rely upon a number of different water sources by utilizing seasonal wells, boreholes, and rainwater collection. Water shortages are exasperated and become critical during a six month dry season, from May-October. During periods of drought, the Fiji government has been required to send drinking water to the islands via barge after wells and water tanks run dry.
The collection of rainwater is a safe and reliable way to source drinking water. Without sufficient collection capacity, appropriate materials, long term water management plans, system upkeep, filtration, and a system of water reserves, villages become particularly vulnerable to severe water shortages during the dry season. Through the funding of of Rainwater Harvesting Systems and awareness programs, rainwater can be utilized as a long term solution to water shortages.
Since 2011, GVI Volunteers have been able to increase the overall water catchment capacity by over 180,000 liters while carrying out efficiency improvements on a further 250,000 liters. However there are still many villages that require new systems and water infrastructure improvements to ensure that there is enough water available for daily life. This project will help to ensure that sufficient capacity is added across 5 islands in as many as 12 effecting the lives of over 2500 villagers.
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