FIVE YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2017-2021 in the next 5 years with investments to support migration from septic tanks to standardised treatment systems. 19 Forty percent of the population will be connected to the central sewerage system by 2021. Sewerage plants with larger treatment capacities and efficient technologies will be constructed in urban areas. To improve access to sanitation services in the rural and maritime areas, government will construct smaller sewerage treatment plants. With Fiji’s increased risk and vulnerability to climate change, water and sewerage infrastructure will be made more climate-resilient, and freshwater resources will be protected from pollution and unsustainable use. Goal, Policies and Strategies Goal: Clean and safe water in adequate quantities and proper and adequate sanitation for every Fijian household POLICIES STRATEGIES Strengthen water policy planning and sustainable resource management. yyFormulate and implement a National Water Resource Management and Sanitation Policy to govern the planning and development of water resources. yyAn integrated approach by the Water Authority of Fiji and Department of Water and Sewerage to develop a mechanism for detailed water resource monitoring and management in collaboration with Fiji Meteorological Services, Ministry of Waterways, FEA and other relevant agencies. yyBetter coordinate roles and responsibilities and improve management and sharing of data among various stakeholders, including Water Authority of Fiji, Department of Water and Sewerage and Ministry of Waterways. yyDevelop and adopt a policy framework for environmentally appropriate and sustainable commercial extraction of groundwater. Expand access and work towards ensuring equity in the provision of water and sanitation services to all Fijians. yyReview existing policies, regulations, standards, incentives, legislation and processes governing the provision of water and sanitation services in order to improve quality of service and access. yyAmend the relevant legislation (Public Health Act [Cap 111] and National Building Codes) to cater for installation of a basic rainwater harvesting system. yyIntroduce flexibility in the urban master plans to allow the extension of pipes to surrounding rural areas to facilitate access to the main urban treated water supply. yyContinue to implement existing major programmes under Water Authority of Fiji. yyIdentify and sustainably develop new water sources. yySupport community awareness of water conservation practices, civic responsibility on use of water resources, protection of traditional water sources as well as promotion of a blend of traditional and modern water conservation practices. yyPromote aggressive leakage reduction programmes to eliminate water that is lost or unaccounted for in the system. yyRainwater harvesting to be made compulsory for car washing businesses (both new and existing businesses). yyProvide incentives to encourage water saving behaviour and the utilisation and proper management of freshwater resources. yyAugmented programme for rural water in rural and maritime areas, including distribution of free water tanks. yyContinuation of the free water programme for low-income households. yyAcquire and run desalination plants dedicated to supply water to islands where feasibility studies show there is no viable source of fresh water. The desalination systems could be powered by solar as well as diesel depending on cost-benefit analysis. yyRationalise environmental legislation surrounding sewerage discharge standards to balance affordability in compliance with short-term and long-term environmental and health effects with concentration on trade waste monitoring. yyImplement necessary strategies to migrate from the use of individual septic tanks to standardised treatment systems. yyConstruct regional centralised sewerage plants with larger treatment capacities and efficient technologies. yyStrengthen the institutional framework and enhance capacity in supplying basic sanitation facilities. Ensure long-term yyImplement Green Growth Framework for Fiji, in particular the Way Forward outlined in Thematic Area sustainability in the 6 on Freshwater Resources and Sanitation Management. provision of freshwater yyWater Authority of Fiji, Department of Water and Sewerage and Department of Energy to work with resources and research institutions and academia to develop renewable energy based desalination technologies where catchment security. financially and economically viable. yyDevelop education and awareness programmes on the management and use of water resources in order to assist users in becoming more efficient in water use. yyImprove cost recovery. yyEmploy water catchment management to ensure the protection of Fiji’s sustainable freshwater resources from risk of pollution and other contaminants and other catchment security. yyImplement adaptation measures to protect freshwater aquifers from saltwater intrusion. yyDevelop water infrastructure that minimizes ecosystem impacts.