Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has apologised for the recent water problems and pollution in the Suva area, saying much of the infrastructure around the capital dates back to colonial times.
Samabula river, Fiji Photo: Supplied
A broken pipe saw millions of litres of raw sewage poured into the Samabula River last month and infected the waterways and the waterfront around Suva.
An environmental emergency was declared nearly a month ago after the pipe burst in early December.
Speaking at a function of the Water Authority of Fiji on Friday, Mr Bainimarama said it was heartbreaking to see the disruption to the lives of people living around the affected foreshore.
He says the Water Authority has seen its budget increase to 128 million US dollars this year to address the problem.
He also says as of next month, households earning less than 15,000 US dollars a year will 250 litres of water a day for free.
