Fiji Water Sector Strategy 2050

1 Climate Change Impacts In Fiji, the impacts of climate change will significantly affect our provision of reliable clean drinking water and safely managed sanitation services. Over the past decade, Fiji has experienced major climatic events that have reduced the availability of clean water, disrupted the provision of services and damaged some critical water and wastewater assets. The impacts have been due to extremes in low rainfall periods, countered by major flooding events and extreme storm surges. Climate change projections for the Pacific indicate rising sea levels and increased storm surges, more intense rainfall events leading to flooding, extreme rainfall variability resulting in more dry spells, and more extreme hot days and warm nights. WAF will need to deal with higher levels of turbidity in rivers due to heavy storms, severe droughts that threatened secure water supplies at unprecedented levels and damage to assets due to sea level rise and storm surges. There is a need for greater storage capacities for periods of water scarcity, improved infrastructural robustness to mitigate damage and disruptions from storms and extreme rainfall events, and adequate treatment systems for dealing with pollution and water quality issues. Flooding, soil erosion and landslides during extreme climate-events have been identified as a particular risk to key water infrastructure. 2º to 4º 25-50cm F$4.5b Rise of Earth’s Sea level rise Estimated to be needed to temperature projected by 2050 strengthen the resilience to year 2100 of the water sector against The Climate Vulnerability Assessment report has also identified flooding climate impacts during extreme climate-events as a risk to 20% of key water infrastructure. Protecting water infrastructure against a flood with a 50-year return period would likely require investing in the relocation of more than 25 of those facilities. 10 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 CHALLENGE

2 Aging Infrastructure Asset health is about the condition and the extent to which an asset delivers the required performance now and into the future. Without investment in systematic maintenance of water and wastewater assets over the past years, Fiji’s water infrastructure assets have lost value and now increasingly need replacement. Wastewater collection networks and trunk mains are subject to high levels of inflow and infiltration, which has led to the overloading of available hydraulic capacity at critical pump stations and wastewater treatment facilities. This is likely to get worse under climate change induced sea level rise and more severe storm surges and flooding. Current infrastructure systems have not kept pace with the digital transformation. They need to be upgraded to improve automation and real time data collection for efficient and effective operations and monitoring. Most of Fiji’s water assets are nearing the end of their economic life. This has resulted in disruptions and inefficiencies in the delivery of water and wastewater services. Water pipe networks have high levels of bursts 1600 47% F$3b 125 Blocked sewers Non-revenue Estimated cost of Pipe bursts and leakages. System water losses are currently around 47% of the total in 2023 (Central water lost across replacing aging per 100km of clean water produced. There is a need to invest in asset renewal and system Division) the whole water infrastructure water mains redundancy at critical points to ensure a reliable 24/7 service supply to network (international benchmark is 13) customers. Half of the current water and sanitation assets will need to be renewed over the next 30 years. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 11 CHALLENGE

3 Environmental Impacts Many activities from ridge to reef negatively impact the natural environment, biodiversity and ocean health, which reduces the amenity for the local communities and tourists – such as swimming, fishing and recreation. These activities include poor catchment Illegal dumping of waste in sewers, illegal management and agricultural practices, stormwater connections, and infiltration poorly performing household septic tanks, into aging pipes in some areas has resulted sewer overflows and non-compliant in sewer overflows into waterways and the wastewater treatment facilities, and industries ocean. The introduction of microplastics into discharging liquid trade waste directly to rivers ecosystems via solid waste disposal into and streams. In addition, land use practices (including sand rivers and wastewater discharges into the ocean results in these particles affecting 78% of Suva residents rely on septic tanks to treat sewage, resulting in contaminated local aquatic life. and gravel extraction from rivers) and the over environments and poorly managed faecal sludge extraction of surface water can negatively The high energy demand from water and impact on the necessary environmental flows wastewater pumping and treatment means to sustain the downstream biodiversity in fauna and flora. that the carbon footprint of the water sector is relatively high.

289 Prohibition and non-compliance notices were issued to industries and companies in 2021/22 by the Department of Environment None of WAF’s 11 wastewater treatment plants and associated reticulation systems 30 Sewer overflows per 100km of are currently environmentally compliant. Treatment systems are operating at well over sewer network annually their design capacity or have chronic mechanical malfunctions. WAF is currently operating under Interim Permits from the Department of Environment. Future growth, as well as the connection of backlog customers currently on septic tanks in the major urban centres, will see this situation exacerbated. 16,500 tonnes of CO2 are emitted into the atmosphere due to electricity demand for pumping and treatment in WAF 12 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 CHALLENGE

4 Rapidly Growing Tourist Demand Fiji’s tourism sector is fundamental to the economy, contributing over 40% of the GDP. Currently Fiji has an estimated 450 licensed accommodation providers, with a total of nearly 13,000 rooms. This is set to expand to 17,000 rooms over the next 3-5 years, and to 23,000 rooms by 2035. This will add further demand on limited water resources and require safe and reliable wastewater management. In tourist-heavy areas, the large volumes of solid waste generated by hotels and other tourist related facilities go to landfill. The responsible management of solid waste and safe treatment of wastewater in these tourist locations is paramount to ensuring that the local environment and public health are not negatively affected. A circular economy approach to managing solid and liquid waste from the tourism sector could further confirm its eco-tourism credentials. This could be done using nature-based wastewater treatment systems, utilising recycled water for outdoor use and toilet flushing, applying treated biosolids to gardens, and adopting water efficient practices to reduce their average water demand. 40% 10x 27% of the Fiji GDP 1 hotel tourist uses of all the daily The tourism growth corridor on the Coral Coast will need new water comes from up to 10 times the water demand by supply and wastewater collection networks and associated treatment tourism water demand of Nadi customers is facilities to ensure the tourism industry, the local communities and the local urban resident consumed by hotels environment are vibrant and healthy. Creative technological and financing approaches will be needed to meet this servicing gap. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 13 CHALLENGE

5 Skills & Capacity Shortage Nationally, there is a large workforce skill and capacity gap which affects all economic sectors in Fiji. Skilled workers are being attracted offshore leaving an eroded skills base in critical water sector positions, both in Government and at WAF. There is an urgent need to continually train new people (including our youth) and to support skilled people to remain in the country and be more economically productive. This is critical to the economic growth of Fiji. Further, there is a gender disparity in the water sector where men make up the majority of employed personnel, and roles are aligned with traditional gender stereotypes. Most institutions that operate in this sector do not have gender equity and social inclusion policies or action plans. After the reopening of the international borders post COVID, more than 55,000 Fijians left the country on work and student permits in 2022 and 2023. (PS Finance 25 Nov 2023). 950 skilled staff lost by WAF over the past four 15% of WAF staff years due to staff turnover, are female including migration 14 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 CHALLENGE

6 Unviable Financial Model It is vital that the water sector operates on a sound financial basis, ensuring that revenue recovered directly offsets operation and maintenance costs, and is used for investments in asset for renewal and growth. Even though WAF was initially set up to be a commercial statutory body in 2010 it is still heavily reliant on government funding. The water tariff in Fiji is one of the lowest in the Pacific and has not been amended since VAT was removed from the tariff in 1999; as a result the tariff now covers less than 50% of the operating costs to deliver water and wastewater services to all its customers (with no allowance for capital expenditure for renewals, augmentation and new infrastructure). Moving forward, if no viable financial model is explored and adopted, WAF will continue to rely heavily on the GoF to fund the operational shortfall and capital expenditures for renewals and growth servicing will continue to be deferred. Water tariff adjustments and a realistic and urgent scaling up of targeted capital investments is now needed to achieve the expected outcomes of the Water Sector Strategy 2050. 15c/1000L 40% 25 years is paid by customers of the operational since the last change for the first tier of the cost of supply is in the residential In Greater Suva, around 75% of WAF water customers are not yet tariff – the lowest in not covered by the water tariff connected to the sewer network. The current sewer tariff will not cover the Pacific average residential the capital cost to address these backlog customers, let alone any new revenue received customers to the area. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 15 Strategic 1 Climate Resilience pillars 2 Infrastructure & Asset Health

3 Environment & Tourism Nexus underpinning

4 Circular Economy our approach 5 Economic Sustainability 16 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 Strategic pillars underpinning our approach To achieve the outcomes for the Fiji water sector in light of the identified challenges, the water sector strategy is underpinned by five thematic pillars, which have been integrated throughout this strategy. These key pillars or approaches serve to guide the implementation of the Water Sector Strategy 2050. They are strategically designed to address various aspects of water and wastewater planning and management to ensure a holistic, sustainable, and resilient water sector. Climate Infrastructure & Environment & Circular Economic Resilience Asset Health Tourism Nexus Economy Sustainability With the anticipated increase To deliver the outcomes, Sustainable tourism Adopting a circular The water sector needs to in climate driven disruptions water and sanitation development is heavily economy approach be equipped to cater for the and associated impacts infrastructure will need to dependent on a healthy and provides an opportunity to expected growth in economy on water and sanitation be climate resilient, well pristine natural environment. use resources efficiently, over the next coming decades, services, the water sector will maintained and renewed The water sector needs to reusing waste products specifically in tourism, need to adopt an adaptive when they reach the end be ready for an increased such as biosolids and agriculture, construction, planning and management of their useful life. Strong demand for water and organic waste to generate manufacturing and real estate. approach to ensure business linkages between service and wastewater services, with energy and produce Targeted investments and tariff continuity and uninterrupted asset performance, risk, and a view to maintaining the organic fertiliser and to reform will be needed to scale service provision. financial performance with healthy water bodies into look to energy efficient up the water servicing agencies low environmental impact will which treated effluent is nature-based solutions. to meet this future need and be need to be established. discharged. financially sustainable in their own right. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 17 Strategic Access to reliable clean and efficient water services outcomes Access to safe sanitation services for 2050 Supporting liveability and sustainability outcomes The Fiji water sector aims to deliver the Financially viable water sector and following five key outcomes by 2050, through an independent water corporation strategic and in some cases explorative actions and interventions. These are Skilled and adequate water described in more detail on the next pages. sector work force 18 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 Access to reliable clean and OUTCOME 1 efficient water services Current situation • 83% of the total population has access to piped water services. High rates of Expected outcome by 2050 urbanisation will increase the demand for water in the major urban centres by 2050. Reliable (24/7) supply of safe water to meet all domestic, commercial and industrial • 94% of the total population (98% of urban needs in both urban and rural settings, and 89% of rural) have access to at least through integrated water planning and a basic water service (protected or piped management that ensures resilience to a supply). Only 58% of rural households have changing and uncertain climate. access to WAF provided piped water. • Customers currently experience intermittent and disrupted water servicing and due to constraints on freshwater supplies through Population drought and high turbidity. with access to 6% None • High levels of leakage in distribution pipes clean water Basic Service are currently being experienced due to 11% only aging infrastructure. • Inefficient water use by customers and 83% leakage of around 30% of residential total Piped service consumption has been observed. • No rural water masterplan is currently in place. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 19 Access to reliable clean and OUTCOME 1 efficient water services continued Response Strategy Living Lab opportunities • Manage and protect catchment collaboratively to provide surface water and groundwater recharge by adopting land-use practices that do not release high chemical and nutrient • Pilot a catchment management and loads into the downstream waterways, drawing on scientific and traditional knowledge in pricing model to ensure catchment an integrated way. This will require determining the inter- and intra- catchment value of protection for improved water quality and water used, over and above the necessary environmental flows for the specific catchment. avoided treatment costs (working with iTaukei Affairs). • Reduce the risk of water scarcity inherent in single-source dependency and the impacts of climate induced water shortages and turbidity through integrated water management • Pilot collaborative public-private partnership approaches, such as: water treatment and supply arrangements with tourism resort developers that includes – Increasing the storage capacity of weirs and dams (such as raising Vaturu Dam wall). services to local communities. – Designing conjunctive supply solutions to include diverse sources such as surface water, groundwater, desalination, recycled water and stormwater. – Mandating rainwater harvesting on all new developments for non-potable uses and to build resilience during disrupted supplies through on-site storage for urban residents. . • Water reuse options for irrigation of parks and sports fields. • Negotiate collaborative water treatment and supply arrangements with commercial developers (e.g. tourism) to include supplies to local workforce and communities. 20 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 Access to reliable clean and OUTCOME 1 efficient water services continued Response Strategy continued • Reduce the level of system water losses to an economic level of 15% nationally by 2050 through asset renewal and leak reduction programs, and improved collaboration between utility partners to expedite repairs (with interim targets of less than 20% losses in Nadi-Lautoka by 2035 and in Lami-Suva-Nausori by 2030). WAF to invest around 50% of capital expenditure on asset renewals. • Expand the reticulation networks in urban centres to keep the level of access to potable water at above 98%, by adopting a hub and spoke strategy i.e. first focusing on urban centres and then next logical peri-urban locations. • Reduce customer water demand and improve efficient water use through: – Regulations for water efficiency performance standards and labelling on water appliances and fittings. – Water conservation programs that target high use residential customers focusing on behaviour change and water efficient appliances and fixtures. – Water efficiency programs and incentives for the hotel industry and other high commercial users. – Policies that ensure efficient appliances and fittings are installed in all new builds. • Future proof critical infrastructure assets through increase system redundancy to mitigate the impacts of system failures and climate induced disruptions. • Deploy cost effective SCADA and digital metering (commercial customer and network) to support real time monitoring of distribution network and water losses. • Prepare and implement a masterplan for rural water supplies. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 21 Access to reliable clean and OUTCOME 1 efficient water services continued National initiatives Rural water and sanitation Catchment Management Pilot: master plan (Kena iTaukei ni wai) The lack of a strategic approach to delivering Unprotected catchments with commercial water and sanitation services to rural activities such as gravel mining, sand communities by Government, WAF and NGOs has extraction and logging result in high levels resulted in an uncoordinated approach to the of turbidity in downstream water offtakes installation, governance and ongoing operation and storage dams, which puts pressure on and maintenance of these systems. the treatment facilities to meet water quality standards and customer demand. A 2050 masterplan for rural water and sanitation is being prepared (funded by UNICEF). The Strategies to improve the water quality in these options under consideration will include both sensitive catchments include pressing for the unsewered and sewered systems, with treatment introduction of more sustainable practices facilities being nature-based with minimal and/or minimising commercial activities via operational and maintenance requirements, such financial compensation agreements, and as trickling filters and wetlands. This masterplan working with local communities and iTaukei should register and prioritise the communities in Affairs to set up catchment protection need of (water and) sanitation services. protocols and agreements. The value of the incentive in each catchment will need to be The governance and ownership model for the established based on the value associated (water and) sanitation services will be outlined, with water treatment costs saved by improved with clearly defined accountability for ongoing raw water quality. operation and maintenance to ensure their ongoing functionality. 22 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 Access to reliable clean and OUTCOME 1 efficient water services continued National initiatives Water Efficiency Performance Hotel water and energy Standards and Labelling (WEPSL) conservation Program With the growth in the number of To shift the existing inefficient water appliance beds projected to double by 2040, and fittings stock gradually over time to one further pressure will be placed on the that is more efficient on average will require currently stressed water resources. A customers to be informed about which hotel leak fix and efficient (WEPSL rated) appliances and fittings are indeed water appliance and fixture rebate program has efficient. This can be done by using WEPSL, in the potential to save up to 20% of demand a similar manner to how the existing minimum per hotel. energy performance standards and labelling On average more than 50% of water in (MEPSL) scheme provides customers with hotels is used in bathrooms. Efficient energy efficiency information. showers and toilets can reduce this The WEPSL will allow building standards to demand. Using water efficient shower mandate the level of water efficiency to be heads has the added benefit of also installed for all new buildings and renovations. reducing the amount of hot water used, and This together with the natural turn-over of therefore reduces the energy demand and stock will reduce the demand for water. associated GHG emissions. Introduce a scheme to ensure that all water using appliances are compliant with Australian/New Zealand Standard 6400:2016 Water Efficient Products – Rating and Labelling or similar. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 23 Access to reliable clean and OUTCOME 1 efficient water services continued Significant regional plans and initiatives Central Region – Naboro/Suva/ Central Region – Residential and Nausori area school efficiency programs Based on the census growth rate of 1.01% and a Water conservation should be a first step higher growth scenario of 2% growth (inclusive of in closing the gap between demand and growth in tourism and high rates of urbanisation), available supplies, before looking for supply the planned augmentations for the Viria water augmentations. treatment facility would be required as follows: To assist residential customers with reducing • Phase 2 – 15,000 ML/yr: between 2032-2040 their water usage, a shower head replacement (F$100m) program is being piloted in Suva. Once lessons have been learnt, the program will be rolled • Phase 3 – 7,000 ML/yr: from 2041-2050 out to other major urban centres where water (F$50m) resources are constrained. Under a 2% growth rate – a new water source and To reduce the demand for water by schools, a treatment augmentation will be needed around small pilot Schools Leak Fix program has been 2045. If network water losses (NRW) are reduced implemented demonstrating that the cost to to between 15% to 20% by 2050, the additional save the water was roughly half the cost to planned treatment capacity and investment produce and supply clean water. required can be delayed. In collaboration with the International Solar Alliance, energy efficiency programs at schools can be run together. 24 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 Access to reliable clean and OUTCOME 1 efficient water services continued National water capital investments 1.5 22% 1.2 F$3.2 0.9 $ Billions 47% billion total 0.6 31% 0.3 0.0 0-5 5-15 >15 O Asset renewals and Years replacement $1.5 billion O Augmentation to increase system capacity $1.0 billion O New servicing systems $0.7 billion Note: all amounts in present day figures with no escalation. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 25 Vanua Levu F$218m F$120m Investments in new and augmentation water projects – Northern Division and Rotuma by 2030 by 2031-2050 Rotuma Water Projects Seaqaqa Water Projects Legend Rotuma Decentraliased New water treatment plant Water distribution & reservoir & Wastewater Treatment Plant and network extension – pump station – $10 million (2050) New Water $35 million (2040) New water source at Naililiyaga – Treatment Plant $25 million (2040) Wastewater Pipeline Water Pipeline Dreketi Water Projects Labasa Water Projects Resevoir New reservoir & pump station 30 MLD new Water Treatment Plant Dam/Weir and network extension – Labasa and new water source at Benau $10 million (2030) and Matani – $115 million (2030) Seaqaqa Dreketi Savusavu Taveuni Taveuni Water Projects New water source & Water Treatment Plant at Nabouwalu Water Salialevu – $43 million Projects (2030) Construction 4 new water at Nabouwalu of 2 MLD Water Bucalevu,Mua/ Treatment Plant & Savusavu Water Projects Nasealevu, Somosomo Pipeline Extension – Extend water network to and Waiyevo – $30 million (2040) Nacavanadi – $20 million (2040) $50 million (2030) 26 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 Viti Levu F$465m F$221m Investments in new and augmentation water projects – Western Division by 2030 by 2031-2050 Ba/Lautoka Water Projects Rakiraki Water Projects Ba-Lautoka trunk mains upgrade and Rakiraki water intake upgrade extension – $17.1 million (2040) & relocation – $15 million Ba-Lautoka Distribution mains upgrade (2030) Rakiraki and extension – $26 million (2040) Construction of Rakiraki WTP – Ba water supply scheme trunk main $8.4 million (2030) Tavua upgrade – $12.4 million (2040) Rakiraki reticulation extension Ba-Tavua reticulation extension – – $12 million (2040) $10.6 million (2040) Ba Rakiraki-Korovou reticulation extension – $19 million (2040) Lautoka Nadi/Lautoka Water Intake/Tavua Water Projects Projects Intake & Tavua water trunk mains upgrade – $13.2 million (2040) Nadi/Lautoka Water sources & Nadi Water treatment plant upgrade Intake & Water treatment plant – – $103 million (2030) $20 million (2040) Nadi/ Lautoka Water Tavua reticulation extension – Tuva Reservoirs, Pump Stations & Keiyasi $38 million (2040) Trunk Mains – $116.3 million Legend (2030) Decentraliased

2 MLD Nawaicoba water supply Wastewater Treatment Plant scheme and network extension Sigatoka Water Projects New Water – $6 million (2030) Sigatoka Treatment Plant New water source at Tuva – $16.5 million (2040) New water source at Teidamu Wastewater Pipeline Matovo Water treatment Plant – $27.7 million (2030) (Lautoka) & Votualevu (Nadi) – Water Pipeline $35.8 million (2040) Sigatoka network extension – $27.1 million (2030) Keayasi 3 MLD water treatment plant – $13 million (2030) Resevoir Vaturu to Nagado Trunk Main upgrade – $135.9 million Nadarivatu water treatment plant and network extension Dam/Weir (2030) – $13 million (2030) Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 27 Viti Levu F$325m F$366m Investments in new and augmentation water projects – Central Division by 2030 by 2031-2050 Legend Levuka Water Projects Lau, Lakeba, Moala, Lau Group Decentraliased Wastewater Treatment Levuka Water Trunk Mains upgrade and network Vanua-Balavu Plant extension – $20.5 million (2030) Water Projects New Water Treatment Plant Lau Water Package plant & Wastewater Pipeline Reticulation Pipe Upgrade – Korovou Water Projects $25 million (2050) Water Pipeline Nailega to Veinuqa extension -$20 million (2030) Lakeba Water Package plant Resevoir & Reticulation Pipe Upgrade Baulevu to Veinuqa – $65 million (2030) – $8.5 million (2030) Dam/Weir Water network extension – $9 million (2030) Moala Water Package plant & Reticulation Pipe Upgrade – $8.5 million (2030) Vanua-Balavu Water Package plant & Reticulation Levuka Pipe Upgrade – $8.5 million Pacific Harbour Water Tailevu Water Projects (2030) Projects Construction of 1 x 1 MLD and 1 x 2 MLD Korovou New 10 MLD reservoir at reservoir with pump stations – Wainadoi and network $18.5 million (2040) extension – $25 million 40km of pipe laying from Sawani Rd to Suva/Nausori Water Projects Kadavu Water Projects (2030) Wailase, Baulevu Rd, Kasavu, Kings Rd to Waidalice – $30 million (2040) Savura groundwater and dam site Water Package plant &

3 MLD Navua Water investigation – $15 million (2030) Reticulation pipe Upgrade – Treatment Plant and network Water network extension – $8.5 million (2030) extension – $8 million Wainadoi Nausori (2030) $140 million (2040) New 3MLD water treatment Lami to Wainadoi new water supply plant at Keayasi, Sigatoka – Suva scheme – $88.7 million (2030) Kadavu Nabukavesi $35 million (2040) Waimanu hydraulic gates – Navua Sigatoka-Deuba $85 million (2040) Pacific Trunk & Reticulation – Habour Rewa to Tailevu network extension and $32 million (2040) new storage – $40 million (2030) 28 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 OUTCOME

2 Access to safe sanitation services Current situation • Only 17% of all urban residential customers connected to WAF water supplies have access to sewered Expected outcome by 2050 sanitation infrastructure. The remainder of urban residents have septic tanks. Access to safe sanitation services to meet all domestic, commercial and industrial • WAF’s 11 wastewater treatment plants do not have needs in both urban and rural settings, that the capacity to effectively treat the wastewater is resilient to climate change impacts. they receive. Pond treatment systems are well over capacity. Mechanical systems are also over their hydraulic design capacities and have chronic malfunctions. Population with access to clean • Due to urbanisation, large informal settlements sanitation in major cities lack adequately designed and managed sewage treatment systems, including None for faecal sludge. 1% • There is no proactive faecal sludge management in place. The emptying of household pits and septic tanks is not regulated and current biosolds are stock piled. 84% Basic sanitation (pits or septics) • Compliance with the National Liquid Waste Standards is poor in the absence of adequate regulation and is adding to the treatment capacity problem. Sewerage • There is no sanitation masterplan in place for connection 15% rural areas. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 29 OUTCOME

2 Access to safe sanitation services continued Response Strategy • Expand the coverage of urban sewered services to include backlog customers with septic tanks and new growth areas. Prioritise backlog sewerage programs in urban areas based on density loadings and soil/groundwater considerations. • Develop loading/density criteria for when septic tank systems in rural and peri-urban areas are inadequate and need to be replaced with a decentralised sewerage treatment system. • Improve alignment with Town and Country Planning so that new infrastructure and developments are in sync. • Utilise decentralised systems and/or nature-based systems for informal settlements and for out of sequence housing and Living Lab opportunities: commercial developments (e.g. the RISE pilot nature-based • Pilot a PPP model for construction and/or operation of wastewater pilot at Tamavua-i-wai shown alongside). treatment infrastructure. • Reduce the level of inflow and infiltration in the sewer network • Pilot collaborative water treatment and supply arrangements with tourism through asset improvement and replacement programs, and resort developers. verify the integrity of customer connections. • Adopt a circular economy approach for the productive use of treated • Improve trade waste compliance through regulation, proactive wastewater and biosolids. monitoring and enforcement. Photo courtesy of RISE. • Develop a holistic national faecal sludge management framework and capacity plan. • Prepare and implement a masterplan for safe rural sanitation. 30 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 OUTCOME

2 Access to safe sanitation services continued Response Strategy continued • Upgrade the existing 11 WAF wastewater treatment facilities to meet current demand and comply with outcomes based environmental discharge requirements as a matter of urgency. • Implement decentralised wastewater treatment strategy to minimise the extensive energy and costs involved with long distance piping and pumping. • Prioritise nature-based wastewater treatment approaches over energy intensive and centralised solutions. • Implement collaborative wastewater treatment arrangements with the private sector and tourism resort developers to include services to local workforce and communities. • Prepare revised national design standards and guidelines that incorporate resilience to climate change impacts, such as storm surges, flooding and sea level rise. Review and upgrade existing sanitation infrastructure and design and build new sanitation infrastructure in accordance with these standards. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 31 OUTCOME

2 Access to safe sanitation services continued National initiatives Protecting wastewater Wastewater treatment Biosolids and faecal sludge management assets from sea level rise management strategies There is currently no policy, strategy or infrastructure and storm surge in place for the safe management of faecal sludge and A national wastewater strategy is being Rising sea levels, more frequent and prepared by WAF (funded by UNDP). An estimated biosolids from septic tanks and wastewater treatment intense storm surges, and flooding due $1.1 billion is recommended to upgrade or replace facilities. Septic tanks are not emptied regularly to climate change will increase the level all 11 wastewater treatment facilities. The cost and biosolids are currently stockpiled, leading to of inflow and infiltration of the sewer benefit analysis provides a compelling case for environmental contamination. network, and will cause critical pump improving societal welfare. A national strategy leading to the construction of stations to malfunction. This will result in appropriate infrastructure to safely manage biosolids Central to this success is private sector contamination of the local environment and septic tank sludge will be prepared. This strategy will involvement through Public-Private Partnerships and water ways creating public adopt circular economy principles and seek beneficial (PPPs), coupled with an unwavering commitment health risks. uses for biosolids through waste to energy investments to long-term sustainability. Critical assets along the Lami/Suva/ or products for agricultural land application. This will The provision of credit guarantees to incentivise involve engaging with stakeholders from the energy and Nausori, and Nadi to Lautoka coastlines private sector participation and the integration agricultural sectors to build the necessary knowledge are most vulnerable. Sewers should of employment and skills transfer provisions and markets for the products. be relined to be watertight and pump in all Public-Private Partnership contracts is stations should be protected from This initiative will also support the national Climate recommended. Under these arrangements, the inundation using either protection walls, Change objective of achieving net zero emissions by government will need to secure financing to be elevated, or be relocated. Future 2050 through a reduction in the use of diesel-powered bridge the financial gap between tariff revenue alignment of sewer infrastructure should energy sources for wastewater treatment. It will also and projected expenditure. take into consideration future sea level reduce methane emissions from sludge digestion rise and increased storm surges, and the and landfill disposal, while also reducing the load on associated additional cost implications. the landfills. A pilot scheme will be used to build the necessary capacity in Fiji. 32 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 OUTCOME

2 Access to safe sanitation services continued Significant regional plans and initiatives Northern Region: Pilot – Wastewater management infrastructure and systems in Savusavu The World Bank has signed an agreement with the Government of Fiji to allocate F$137m to help Fiji deliver its vision for more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism across the country, with an initial focus on Vanua Levu. Of this, F$4m will be used to carry out a feasibility study for wastewater management infrastructure and systems in Savusavu, including a small-scale pilot of a sewerage treatment facility with climate change impact considerations in the design. Currently all households and businesses use septic systems. Solutions have been identified by WAF, including a full upgrade of the sewerage and treatment system in Labasa and the installation of a sewerage system in Savusavu. The latter is more urgent because of the environmental pollution already being detected in places, such as Savusavu Bay. One of the possible least-cost techniques is the bio-trickling filter, which is easy to operate without the need for high operational competency, and is environmentally friendly and climate resilient, as they require less energy. The study includes an impact analysis to assess the potential impacts of climate change on the proposed wastewater treatment performance. The findings from the feasibility study and learning from the pilot program will guide climate-informed investments in the next phase of the program and other locations in Fiji. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 33 OUTCOME

2 Access to safe sanitation services continued National capital investments 2.0 12% 24% 1.5 F$5.0 $ Billions billion 1.0 total 0.5 64% 0.0 0-5 5-15 >15 Years O Asset renewals and replacement $1.2 billion O Augmentation to increase system capacity $3.2 billion O New servicing systems $0.6 billion Note: all amounts in present day figures with no escalation. 34 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 Vanua Levu F$115m F$165m Investments in new and augmentation wastewater projects – Northern Division and Rotuma by 2030 by 2031-2050 Seaqaqa Wastewater Projects Labasa Wastewater Projects Legend Rotuma Decentraliased Decentralised Wastewater system – Namara Wastewater Treatment Plant & Extension Wastewater Treatment Plant $10 million (2040) of sewer network – $105 million (2040) New Water Treatment Plant Wastewater Pipeline Water Pipeline Dreketi Wastewater Projects Resevoir Wastewater collection system – Dam/Weir $15 million (2030) Labasa Seaqaqa Nabouwalu Wastewater Projects Dreketi Construction of wastewater treatment plant and collection system – $30 million (2040) Savusavu Taveuni Savusavu Wastewater Projects Nabouwalu Construction of Wastewater collection system & Extension of Taveuni Wastewater Projects sewer network & pumping stations – Decentralised Wastewater system $100 million (2030) – $20 million (2050) Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 35 Viti Levu F$161m F$1,029m Investments in new and augmentation wastewater projects – Western Division by 2030 by 2031-2050 Ba Wastewater Projects Rakiraki Wastewater Votua wastewater upgrade – Projects $50 million (2030) New Rakiraki Wastewater – Rakiraki $13 million (2050) New Rakiraki sewer collection system – $16.81 million (2050) Tavua Nadi/Lautoka Wastewater Projects Ba Denarau Island sewer Upgrade – $57 million (2030) Lautoka Tavua Wastewater Projects Navakai, Nadi Wastewater New Tavua Wastewater treatment plant and treatment plant upgrade – collection system – $30 million (2040) $222 million (2040) Natabua Wastewater Nadi treatment plant upgrade – $274 million (2040) Lautoka network extensions Tuva – $305 million (2050) Keiyasi 3 new WWTP at Sabeto, Legend Vitogo and Moala in Nadi/ Decentraliased Wastewater Treatment Lautoka – $124 million Plant (2050) New Water Treatment Plant New faecal sludge treatment Sigatoka facility – $40 million (2030) Wastewater Pipeline Sigatoka Wastewater Projects Water Pipeline Sigatoka sewer extension and collection upgrade – $44.6 million (2040) Resevoir Olosara Wastewater treatment plant Dam/Weir upgrade – $13.5 million (2030) 36 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 Viti Levu F$746m F$1,618m Investments in new and augmentation wastewater projects – Central Division by 2030 by 2031-2050 Lau Group Legend Korovou Wastewater Projects Decentraliased Wastewater Treatment New Korovou Wastewater treatment Plant plant – $15 million (2050) New Water Treatment Plant New Korovou sewer collection Wastewater Pipeline system – $9 million (2050) Levuka Wastewater Water Pipeline Projects Resevoir New Levuka WWTP and sewer collection system Dam/Weir – $15 million (2050) Suva/Nausori Wastewater Projects Levuka Kinoya Wastewater plant Upgrade – $600 million (2030) Two new wastewater treatment plants: Korovou – Nausori – $60 million (2040) – Lami – $45 million (2040) Suva sewer extension – $540 million (2040) Nausori and Lami sewer extension – $250 million (2050) Wastewater Nadali, Adi Cakabau, Wailada upgrades – $6.2 million (2030) Suva Coastal sewer interceptor – $650 million (2050) New faecal sludge treatment facility – $40 million (2030) Wainadoi Nausori Nabukavesi Suva Pacific Harbour Wastewater Projects Navua Kadavu Pacific Harbour treatment plant and Wastewater collection system Upgrade Pacific – $100 million (2030) Habour Naboro WWTP upgrade and extension – $3.6 million (2040) New Navua WWTP and sewer collection system – $30 million (2040) Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 37 Supporting liveability and OUTCOME 3 sustainability outcomes Current situation • All 11 WAF wastewater treatment facilities do not currently comply with Expected outcome by 2050 environmental discharge standards due to capacity constraints. A circular economy approach is main streamed in all land-use, infrastructure • Sports fields and parks are irrigated with and resource planning. treated drinking water. The ocean and all inland water bodies • In the absence of a biosolids beneficial sustain healthy ecosystems and provide use policy, biosolids from wastewater safe recreation. treatment and septic tanks are currently stockpiled. WAF’s energy demand is independent of fossil fuel generation, and their overall • The dependence on fossil fuels and carbon footprint is net positive. the high energy intensity of water and wastewater pumping and treatment results in high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and operational cost. • Food waste from commercial food processors and hospitality venues is dumped in landfill which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and impacts on landfill capacity. • A draft Fiji National Organic Policy Paper is under review to support organic farming. 38 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 Supporting liveability and OUTCOME 3 sustainability outcomes continued Response Strategy • Shift the focus from wastewater treatment to resource recovery by adopting a circular economy approach for the beneficial use of organic waste sources, including biosolids and commercial food waste, for energy production and organic farming. • Determine the carbon footprint for WAF services, and implement initiatives (including monitoring and reporting) to achieve net zero carbon by 2050. • Prioritise investments in line with this to reduce the levels of contaminants being discharged into receiving waters from wastewater treatment facilities (see Outcome 2). • Identify opportunities for co-locating wastewater recycling facilities and high water demand industries. • Implement nature-based treatment solutions where feasible (see outcome 2) to reduce the energy intensity of wastewater Living Lab opportunities treatment facilities and to recover nutrients where viable. • Biogas digester using biosolids and processed food waste. • Incorporate nutrient recovery such as phosphorus and nitrogen • Pilot use of use of biosolids from wastewater treatment facilities and based on the cost and benefit to agriculture and impacts on organic waste on specific crops. the environment. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 39 Supporting liveability and OUTCOME 3 sustainability outcomes continued National initiatives Waste to energy – Renewable energy and e.g. Kinoya Wastewater energy intensity treatment facility Reduce the reliance on fossil Following a circular economy fuel-based energy and reduce approach, a biogas digester is overall energy intensity of water proposed as part of the overall and wastewater services through: waste treatment improvements at • Efficient pumps, variable speed Kinoya. It will combine wastewater pumps and off-peak pumping. biosolids and food waste from commercial food processing for • Power purchase agreements onsite energy generation and use. with solar and mini-hydro This will involve the construction generators. of a new digester, a sludge tanker receiving area and sludge • Solar power installed on WAF dewatering facility. assets to offset demand on the grid. Collaboration with utility partners will be required for the location of • Waste to energy facilities. the gas turbine. 40 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 Supporting liveability and OUTCOME 3 sustainability outcomes continued National initiatives Resource recovery Beneficial use of biosolids Adopt a circular economy approach for The Ministry of Agriculture, in consultation with the wastewater treatment and recycling stakeholders and POETCom, has developed a draft Fiji facilities, incorporating nature-based National Organic Policy Paper to attract investments solutions and irrigation of golf courses in organic agriculture. Along with the national organic and open space. Pilot the use of policy, the Fiji Organic Task Force has also developed a macroalgae in the final polishing ponds national organic action plan for the implementation of for agricultural use. the Fiji national organic policy. • Central region: Pacific Harbour and Biosolids from wastewater treatment processes Nausori (Nadali). can play a role as a substitute for imported and synthetic fertilisers. • Western region: Sigatoka (Olosara) and Lautoka (Natabua). • Develop a national biosolids policy to enable its beneficial use and co-management with other organic waste products. • A new faecal sludge facility to be developed to supply organic fertilizer for productive use in organic agriculture. • Pilot biosolids recovered for land application in organic agriculture. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 41 Financially viable water sector OUTCOME 4 and an independent water corporation Current situation • WAF currently recovers approximately less than 50% of their current operating costs for water from the block tariff Expected currently in place. outcome • Free water for the first 92 kl per year is currently supplied to by 2050 approximately 22% of the total residential customer base, WAF operating as making up 5% of the total demand. an independent and • The water and sanitation tariff does not reflect a full cost self-sustaining commercial recovery model to address asset renewal and the mitigation entity and delivering cost of climate change impacts on critical assets. effective services. • All revenue collected by WAF is transferred to the Government of Fiji. • Capital expenditure for addressing growth is funded directly by the Government and through loans and grants. • A Water Resource Tax (2009) is imposed by Government on any business extracting water in its natural state (1c per litre and 18c per litre in excess of 10kl per month). The tax contributed 4.2% of Government tax revenue in 2022. • There are currently no mechanisms for WAF to seek developer contributions to cover the additional infrastructure costs due to the proposed new developments. 42 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 Financially viable water sector OUTCOME 4 and an independent water corporation continued Response Strategy • Strengthen the regulatory model with clear lines of responsibility as recommended by ADB. • Implement recommendations to achieve financial sustainability and WAF corporatisation, which include revenue retention (ADB commissioned PSDI report). • Restructure the water and sanitation tariff to reflect a full cost recovery model with strong protection for low-income households. • Complete the valuation of WAF owned infrastructure assets and account for depreciation to ensure asset health outcomes. • Trial various financing and contracting models for capital investments and operational functions, including public-private-partnerships. • Continue to develop partnerships with development Living Lab opportunities partners for grants or other long-term finding • Pilot a public-private-partnership for capital investments and/or operational functions options for critical and/or climate-resilient e.g. tourism developments on the Coral Coast to create such a partnership for water and infrastructure needs. wastewater services. • Create a mechanism for developer charges for water and wastewater servicing (headworks charges) for new developments. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 43 OUTCOME

5 Skilled and adequate water sector work force Current situation Response Strategy • Sufficient trained personnel across • Create a capacity building hub such as a Pacific the sector are unavailable to ensure Water School in Fiji, to foster peer-to-peer learning, water services are adequately a community of practice and network building. planned, operated, maintained, • Prepare a human resources strategy for future water regulated, and financed. sector needs under the rapidly evolving technological advancements with the aim of spending around 1% of operating costs across the water sector. • Design and implement technical and vocational Expected outcome education and training (TVET) capacity building by 2050: programs through mentorship, coaching and exchange programs. The Fijian water sector consists of a dynamic, gender balanced, • Offer a government/donor funded bursary scheme for committed and appropriately university graduates with the requirement that they trained workforce with the work at DWS or WAF for a matching period. required knowledge education • Set up life-long learning opportunities for water and skills. sector personnel on building capability in: – Life-cycle asset management. – Designing and management of nature-based sanitation solutions. – Incorporating resilience and adaptive planning in practice. • Provide a targeted apprentice program for female school leavers. 44 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 Appendix WAF capital investment requirements submitted to NDP

200 O Water Total O Wastewater Total $164.7m $165.5m O Rural Total $149.0m O Non Revenue Water 150 O Others (Mechanical, Electrical, Automation, Facilities upgrade) $ Millions 100 50 0 2024/2025 2025/2026 2026/2027 Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 45 Acronyms used in this document CAPEX Capital Expenditure RISE – Revitalizing Informal Settlements and their Environments CBA cost benefit analysis SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition DWS Department of Water and Sewerage TVET Technical and vocational education GDP Gross Domestic Product and training) GHG Greenhouse gas UN United Nations GoF Government of Fiji UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund JMP Joint Management Program VIP Ventilated Improved Pit MEPSL Minimum energy performance standards WAF Water Authority of Fiji and labelling WEPSL Water Efficiency Performance Standards NDP National Development Plans and Labelling NGOs Non-government Organisations WHO World Health Organisation NIIP Nation Infrastructure Investment Program WSS2050 Water Sector Strategy 2050 NRW Non-revenue Water WWTP Wastewater Treatment Plant OPEX Operating Expenditure 46 | Water Sector Strategy 2050 References Australian Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO 2014. Climate Change in the Pacific: PRIF 2022. “Diagnostics of Pacific Water and Wastewater Association Water Scientific Assessment and New Research. Volume 1: Regional Overview, p. 56. Utilities: SDG6 Profile for Fiji and the Water Authority of Fiji”, Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility. Balmoral Group 2023. Fiji Wastewater Strategy Business Case Report. Prepared for WAF. PRIF 2023. “Fiji National Infrastructure Investment Plan 2023-2034”, Pacific Regional Infrastructure Facility Coordination office. Fiji Bureau of Statistics https://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/ PSDI 2023. Water Authority of Fiji, Diagnostic Study. Draft 10 March 2023. Fiscal Review Committee 2023. “Fiscal Review Committee Report”, Fiscal Review Committee, Fiji. SMEC 2023. Wastewater Investment Strategy for Greater Suva Urban Area. Prepared for WAF. Government of Fiji, World Bank, and Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery 2017. “Fiji 2017: Climate Vulnerability Assessment – Making Fiji Climate WaterAid 2023. Healthy Environments, Resilient Communities: The vital role of Resilient.” World Bank, Washington, DC. sanitation for improving climate resilience in the Pacific. Policy Brief for Pacific Island Governments. Melbourne: WaterAid. Government of Fiji, 2021. Climate Change Act. WAF 2023. “Refreshed 5 Year Strategic Plan 2020-2025”, Water Authority of Fiji, IPCC 6th Assessment Report 2022 Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Suva, Fiji. Jazbec M, Mukheibir P and Turner A, 2020 Transitioning the Water Industry with the WAF 2023. “Water Sector Strategy 2050 – Concept paper”, Water Authority of Fiji, Circular Economy, prepared for the Water Services Association of Australia, Institute Suva, Fiji. for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney. WAF 2023. “Water Sector Strategy 2050 – Workshop report”, Water Authority of Fiji, PIFS 2022. “2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent”, Pacific Islands Forum Suva, Fiji. Secretariat, Suva, Fiji. WHO and UNICEF 2022. Joint Monitoring Program, https://washdata.org/data/ PRIF 2019. “Water and Wastewater 2019 Cost of Service Study and Tariff household#!/ Application”, Prepared for WAF, Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility. World Bank 2023. https://wbwaterdata.org/group/deliver-services PRIF 2021. “Guidance for Managing Sea Level Rise Infrastructure Risk in Pacific Island Countries”, Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility. World Bank 2023. Project appraisal document on a proposed credit to the Republic of Fiji for a tourism development program at Vanua Levu, May 2023. Water Sector Strategy 2050 | 47 We acknowledge the funding received from the World Bank and UNDP that made the preparation of this Strategy possible.