WATER Authority of Fiji officials have visited eight families in Nagigi outside Labasa Town following their complaints over disconnected water supply by the community committee.
The Nararo Settlement Water Committee cut off supply to the families for misuse of water during the dry season.
WAF spokeswoman Kelera Serelini said the committee — and not the authority — controlled and managed the supply of water to about 68 residents in the area.
"As a result of the visit, the team discovered that the residents continued to receive normal water supply except for eight houses that have had supply disconnected by the committee," she said.
Ms Serelini said supply was disconnected because the residents had misused water by watering flower beds and washing cars.
Committee manager Waisale Kanavo confirmed that supply had been disconnected.
He said the committee met the residents last year at an AGM where the committee constitution was discussed.
Mr Kanavo said the residents endorsed the constitution which included disconnection for misuse of water during the dry season.
He said the residents agreed to a reconnection fee of $20 and a penalty fee of $50 for misusing water.
Ms Serelini confirmed a meeting would be held this week with the committee to settle the matter. The committee began in 1994 and used to provide water to 36 households — now it supplies 68 families.