9 Jan 2015

Renewed warning about Fiji sewage spill

1:13 pm on 9 January 2015

There have been renewed warnings in Fiji for people to stay away from a coastal zone near Suva contaminated after last month's sewage spill.

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Photo: AFP

A broken pipe saw millions of litres of raw sewage poured into the Samabula River last month and infected the waterways and waterfront around the capital.

The Environmental Emergency Zone was declared from the mouth of the Rewa River eastward, but FBC News quotes police as saying some people are unaware of the restrictions.

The police say so far they have not arrested anyone, but they will if people do not adhere to the rules stipulated under the emergency declaration in force now.

Earlier this week, the assistant health minister, Veena Bhatnagar, said despite numerous warnings, people keep using water sources affected by the sewage spill..

The Environmental Emergency Declaration will be liable for a penalty or 12 months imprisonment or both.

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