Fiji : Project Design Advance Urban Water Supply and Wastewater Management Project

Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Urban policy, institutional and capacity development - Urban sewerage - Urban water supply

The project impact is to ensure that inhabitants of some of Fiji s most densely populated areas have access to regular and safe piped water and an environment friendly sewerage system. This is aligned with the government's policy to improve delivery of water supply and sanitation services as articulated in the Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development, 2010 -2014. The outcome will be improved access to sustainable water supply and sewerage services. The project has three outputs:

Output 1: Increasing access to reliable and safe water supply by (i) reducing water losses through meter replacement, improved leak detection and repairs, establishment of district metering areas and pressure management systems; and (ii) increasing production by 30,000 m3 per day by building a new water intake by the Rewa River, a new pumping station, a new water treatment plant, a new clear water reservoir and a pipeline to supplement water supply for the GSA.

Output 2: Improving sewer coverage and reliability of wastewater treatment (WWT) by (i) increasing capacity to process sewage flow and pretreat septic tanker waste; (ii) upgrading pump stations to allow more flow to the treatment plant; (iii) upgrading the existing sewer gravity and rising mains to allow connection of additional backlog areas; and (iv) increasing sewer coverage by 15% to connect approximately 4,500 additional households.

Output 3: Strengthening water and wastewater sector management and sustainable service delivery capacity by: (i) implementing a water demand management program and liquid trade waste program; (ii) reviewing the environmental regulatory framework for municipal WWT discharge standards; (iii) supporting the monitoring and enforcement of sector regulations; (iv) formulating and implementing a roadmap to complete the corporatization of WAF; and (v) strengthening the financial management of WAF.

7. The PDA will support the government to deliver the concept design for design build operate, conceptual and detailed engineering designs for wastewater treatment expansion and sewerage works, and bidding documents for all works, and support the technical evaluation of bid proposals, as well as other project preparatory work for the project including (i) initial environmental assessments; (ii) a land acquisition and resettlement plan; (iii) a consultation and communication strategy for the project; (iv) technical review and support to the Government of Fiji for the approval of a national liquid trade waste program; (v) support for the development and approval of a road map for the corporatization of WAF; and (vi) a strategy to improve WAF accounting practices and financial management, and commence implementation. The PDA will allow the government to complete detailed engineering design and preliminary designs before the proposed project becomes effective.

Fiji has a population of approximately 868,000, of which 53% is urban. By 2030, it is estimated that two in three Fijians will be living in the country's urban centers. While poverty rates in Fiji are highest in rural areas, the rapid growth of peri-urban squatter settlements implies that the majority of poor people in Fiji now live in and around urban areas. Fiji's urban sector accounts for 60% of the country's gross domestic product, with the share of the GSA estimated at 40%. The GSA, which consists of Suva City the national capital as well as the towns of Lami, Nasinu, and Nausori and their surrounding peri-urban areas, accounts for 57% of Fiji's urban population. By 2023, the population of the GSA is expected to grow by 12.8%.

Despite the economic importance of the country's cities and towns, urban infrastructure and services have not kept pace with rapid urban growth. Extreme drought and flooding events as well as sea level rise result in higher cost in the provision of these services by the Government. Inevitably this is contributing to environmental degradation and increased health risks, and acts as a binding constraint on social and economic development. The improved delivery of urban water supply and sanitation services is thus essential for ongoing economic development and is a high priority of government. The investments to be financed by the project have been identified based on the WAF draft Water Supply and Sewerage Master Plan 2013-2033 and the WAF 2014 corporate plan.

Fiji's development plan entitled the Government of Fiji: Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio Economic Development 2010 2014 aligned to the Millennium Development Goals, has prioritized water and sanitation services in Fiji's socio economic development. The recently approved The Green Growth Framework for Fiji: Restoring the Balance in Development that is Sustainable for Our Future reiterates a similar commitment to enhancing accessibility to safe drinking water and sanitation in Fiji. In addition the Framework has recognized increased population growth, water consumption and climate change impacts as an impediment to efforts to achieving sustainable development.

1. WAF increases access to reliable and safe water supply in the GSA

2. WAF increases sewer coverage capacity and reliability of WWT processes in the GSA

3. WAF management and sustainable service delivery capacity improved

1. On 31 March 2017, prequalification was initiated for two contracts, design-build-operate for the Rewa River Water Supply scheme and a construct only contract for the transmission main. The bid document will be issued to prequalified applicants before 30 September 2017. Contract award is targeted for quarter 1 2018.

2. Detailed design and preparation of the bid document for Kinoya WWTP is scheduled to be available by quarter 4 2017; and the detailed design and preparation of the bid document for the sewer system upgrades and extension is planned to be available by quarter 1 2018. Tranche 2/Project 2 is scheduled for ADB approval by quarter 4 2018, hence advance procurement will be used to align with the ADB approval date.

3. PDA support for state-own enterprise reforms roadmap developed, human resource management is expected to be completed September 2017. Non-revenue water and liquid trade waste program being implemented.