Fiji To Close Rural-Urban Divide On Safe Water And Sanitation

Suva, Fiji, 12 November 2025 – Racing towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 target on clean water and sanitation by 2030, Fiji is finalizing its first ever Rural Water Supply Services and Sanitation Master Plan today.

Led by the Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, the plan prioritizes equal access to safe and reliable services. This is especially for rural communities, including outer islands, that are most at risk of being left behind and facing serious health threats.

“The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan provide a clear and actionable roadmap for the development of Fiji’s rural water and sanitation sector,” said the Honourable Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, Mr. Ro Filipe Tuisawau. “It defines our strategic direction, investment priorities, institutional roles, and financing options, ensuring that no community is left behind and that every community, no matter how remote, has access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation services.”

According to the report on Progress on Household Drinking Water and Sanitation 2000–2024: special focus on inequalities launched by WHO and UNICEF, Fiji has high coverage of basic drinking water services at over 95 per cent and over 93 per cent for basic sanitation – among the highest in the Pacific and globally.

However, only 42 per cent of the population - and just 27 per cent in rural areas - have safely managed drinking water. This is water available on premises, accessible when needed, and free from contamination. For sanitation, the situation is similar with only half of the population having access to toilets and systems that ensure waste is properly collected, emptied, transported, treated, and safely disposed of.

Supported by UNICEF, the plan focuses on upgrading village water systems to ensure that water is treated and safe to drink. It includes adding more rainwater tanks, building solar-powered wells for remote places, and testing new ways to provide clean water on islands.

The plan also includes activities to ensure water is checked regularly, repairs happen quickly, and water is easy to get at home. For toilets and sanitation, it focuses on fixing or replacing old septic tanks, building new treatment plants for waste, and trying out mobile treatment units for hard-to-reach areas. In addition, it strengthens water and sanitation systems to withstand climate hazards such as tropical cyclones, droughts, floods, saltwater intrusion, as well as non-climate hazards like earthquakes.

“No child should wake up wondering if the water they drink will make them sick. Yet far too many families in Fiji’s rural communities are exposed to the risk of drinking contaminated water. This plan is not only about reaching the Sustainable Development Goal, but about equity, dignity, and giving every child the chance to grow up healthy and safe,” said UNICEF Pacific Representative (a.i) Roshni Basu. “We commend the Ministry for focusing on these communities that have long faced the gaps in access to safe water and sanitation.”

While the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan set out actions to ensure every community has equal access to safe, reliable water and sanitation, its benefits go far beyond that. Clean water and proper toilets mean families can live with dignity and comfort. They reduce the burden of fetching water, save time and money, as well as prevent diseases such as typhoid and diarrhoea. They also help children stay healthy and attend school, while protecting the environment for future generations.

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