INCOME earners receiving less than $8700 annually can now have new water meters and pay the installation cost over a period of two years under the rural water connection scheme.
The government-funded scheme worth $300,000 that started last month and handled by the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) is a new initiative aimed at providing assistance to low income earners who cannot afford up-front installation costs.
Authority spokeswoman Kelera Serelini said the scheme mostly targeted people in rural areas, especially in villages and settlements who lived within WAF's reticulum system with difficulties in paying the new connection.
"The installation fee depends on the type of new connection for example, a customer can pay Type A which is $285, Type B for $345 and Type C which is about $1200 but these estimated costs will be finalised after inspection is carried out by our technical officers. The authority plans to utilise the government-funded project thus, we are advising people to make use of it because it will be on a first come, first served basis," Ms Serelini said.
She said those applying are required to submit relevant documents to prove their eligibility.
These include residential information, billing address information, Tax Identification Number (TIN) letter, FNPF number, photo ID, birth certificate, passport sized photo and information on the collective income per household.
"The eligibility of each applicant will be assessed based on these criteria."