THE village of Draubuta in Navosa shares its main water source with animals.
This is what a team of government officials found during a visit last week.
The sharing of the waterway came as a shock, especially with the recent spate of typhoid cases emerging out of the rural outpost.
The Fiji Times was told that a blocked water main three months ago forced the villagers to use the creek for drinking, washing, bathing and cleaning of cooking utensils.
The villagers said the main pipe supplying water from their reservoir had been blocked with dirt, thus preventing the villagers from getting water through the piped system.
However, the issue was resolved when a Keiyasi-based Water Authority of Fiji worker, Joseva Reka Satavu, joined the government team of officers deployed to the village.
The team was at Draubuta for four days to monitor and investigate ways to control typhoid incidences at the village.
Mr Satavu helped the villagers dig out the pipe and clear the dirt.
"Three months ago the reservoir was emptied as there was no filter in their water pipe," he said.
"This caused the villagers to resort to the creek. We have also found out that the dam water used previously was not treated and villagers have now been taught how to treat their drinking water every day."
Mr Satavu said more than 400 villagers were sharing only nine taps which were located in various parts of the village.
"These nine taps are shared by 60 households which is something that needs to be addressed.
"I will be submitting a report to the government on the need for all houses to have at least one tap each.
"Most villagers don't bother to wash their hands after using the toilet because of the locations of the taps," he added.