THE Public Works Department will step up collection in its attempt to recover the $34million in water rate arrears by disconnecting supply to defaulting consumers.
Divisonal Water Engineer West Peceli Ravasua said the Water Supply Department had begun with disconnection in Suva and would head to the Western Division soon.
Mr Ravasua was reacting to concerns raised by Vitogo district representative Lepani Raisowalu during the Ba Provincial Council meeting in Viseisei yesterday.
Mr Raisowalu requested the department to change its billing system and send out bills monthly instead of quarterly.
He said that last week families in Namoli and Tomuka had their water supply disconnected because people could not afford to pay the quarterly bills.
Mr Ravasua said they were trying to collect all arrears and "we are trying to be like Fiji Electricity Authority and Telecom".
He said the two entities would act immediately if the bills were not settled after the due date.
"We are trying to crack down on water bill payments," he said.
Mr Ravasua also told the council of the move to privatize the water supply department.
"In January 1, 2010 this department will be a commercial entity known as the Water Authority of Fiji," he said.
He assured the council members that there would be no increase in the water rates for the domestic users.
