The Water Authority of Fiji in the South Pacific announced on 29 May 2013 that four of Fiji’s outer islands will now be using desalination plants as an alternative water-supply source.
The project, costing F$ 2.5 million (US$ 1.34 million), has been funded by the Japanese government under the PALM5 Pacific Environment Community Fund through the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
The islands are Vanuavatu in the Eastern Division, Viwa in the Yasawas, and Kia and Kavewa in the Northern Division. The minister for works, transport and public utilities, Captain Timoci Natuva, said villagers in these outer islands had been facing water problems for the past 20- 30 years.