THE Water Authority of Fiji is exploring alternative sites to store water in Nadi in order to ensure natural disasters like flood in March do not jeopardise the water supply in Nadi and Lautoka.
The Nadi and Lautoka area is largely dependent on the Vaturu Dam for its water supply and the WAF move is aimed at protecting the water supply for thousands of west residents in the event of a natural disaster.
WAF chief executive officer Opetaia Ravai said the concern was a priority.
"Our immediate concern is the disaster risk areas. The Nadi region has been flooded frequently and we are investigating extensively the network around Nadi," he said.
"We are also looking at how we can best position ourselves if another big disaster happens because most of our infrastructure has been hit hard during the floods, so if the next one hits Nadi there could be bigger problems.
"We are looking at alternative sources because right now the Nadi-Lautoka system is heavily reliant on the Vaturu Dam.
"We'd like to have contingencies in other places around Nadi in case supply from Vaturu is affected.
"That would be catastrophic for Nadi and Lautoka for that matter, so yes we are investigating other water sources and contingency plans in that area."
Mr Ravai said the WAF was also looking at building a dam in the highlands of Naitasiri to alleviate the reliance of those in the Suva-Nausori corridor on the Waimanu River.
"For the Suva-Nausori corridor, we are talking with potential contractors or organisations who can help us build a dam either in the highlands of Naitasiri or Namosi. That is ongoing and that is the long -term plan because as you know the Suva-Nausori corridor is heavily reliant on the Waimanu River."