THE Water Authority of Fiji has approved 109 applications for water bill arrears to be waived from customers in the Central Division .
Since the launch of the campaign last month, 604 applications were received from the Central Division with only 109 meeting the five criteria.
Figures released by WAF revealed 74 applications were approved because of leakages on customers' plumbing works with the amount waived totalling $57,295.52. In the second category, six applications were approved because of long periods of underestimated usage — $5,490.34 was waived.
Another six applications were received from customers complaining of receiving their first bill after long periods of usage with the total amount waived at $15,333.12.
A further 13 applications were approved for schools and religious organisations that had accumulated arrears prior to 2012 before WAF was established. In this category WAF waived $33,322.52. 10 applications were also approved for those applying under the pensioners and social welfare recipients category where a total of $11,796.62 was waived.
The three-month arrears waiver campaign started last month and will end in December.