29 Dec 2014

Relocation considered in Fiji sewage aftermath

5:53 am on 29 December 2014

Relocation is being touted as a possibility for families living in Maravu if a sewage spillage is declared a national disaster in Fiji.

The Fiji Times reports that the National Disaster Management Office says people living in Maravu Settlement 1 and 2 are likely to be moved to evacuation centres if the problem persists.

The office director says if a state of disaster is declared people will be advised to move to a safe area until the situation is addressed, then they can move back to their homes.

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

The NDMO says they haven't determined the cost of damage yet.

The Water Authority has pumped pro-biotic enzymes into the water to reduce the impact of the sewage on marine life and to the systems.

In the meantime, about 6000 residents that live in the affected areas are being told to refrain from using the rivers and sea for up to three weeks.