5-Year and 20-Year National Development Plan 3.0 FIVE YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2017-2021 positive spill over benefits to the entire economy. WATER The long-term national development plan, supported by Fiji’s strengths and an enabling national environment, is translated into individual sector development plans to be implemented over the next 5 years. Currently, approximately 78 percent of Fiji’s population has access to a treated and reticulated water supply. While in the urban centres 98 percent of the population has access, coverage in the rural areas needs to be expanded. The sector goals are set against an analysis of sector context, including challenges and opportunities to justify priority policies and strategies. The selected sector policies and strategies in turn help validate the priority development programmes to be implemented over the next 5 years. Policies and strategies and the corresponding programmes and targets are tabulated under each chapter. In the next 5 years, government will undertake major investments to cater for long-term water supply needs. Resources will be allocated for construction of new water treatment plants, reticulation systems and reservoirs to increase supply capacity. An aggressive leakage reduction programme to eliminate water loss will be pursued. The major programmes and projects are based on the development needs gathered from the nationwide consultations. Emphasis is placed on access to basic services for all Fijians such as water, electricity, housing, medical services and education. Government will concurrently undertake substantial investments to implement the transformational strategic thrusts identified under the long-term development plan. 3.1 INCLUSIVE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Constitution provides every Fijian with socioeconomic and environmental rights. The realisation of these rights is critical for inclusive and sustainable development. This will empower every Fijian through provision of essential social services and other public goods. Regarding the development of potential new water sources, government—with assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Green Climate Fund (GCF) and European Investment Bank (EIB)—is embarking on the construction of a new, 40-megalitre treatment plant on the Rewa River to meet the increasing demand for water in the greater Suva and Nausori areas. The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) is exploring options for other new dam sites such as at Waibogi in the upper reaches of Navua River and the upper Waimanu River as well as in the Western Division to meet the increasing demand in the Nadi-to-Lautoka corridor. Investments will be made to renew existing water infrastructure, including pipeline replacement, construction and upgrade of water reticulation systems, electrical upgrades, valve replacements, reservoir upgrades and reducing non-revenue water. Options for enhanced rainwater harvesting and storage, industrial recycling, storm water management, aquifer management and the use of renewable energy technologies for desalination plants in remote locations will be explored on a continuing basis and implemented where feasible. Government will provide rebates for rainwater harvesting systems. The rural water supply programme will be augmented to provide access to clean water in rural areas and to meet the target of 85 percent of rural communities having access by 2021. Free water tanks will be distributed in the rural and maritime communities. For the remote island communities, groundwater sources will be developed and diesel-powered water-desalination plants will be provided. 3.1.1 WATER AND SANITATION “Clean and safe water in adequate quantities and proper and adequate sanitation for every Fijian household” The Constitution guarantees the right of every Fijian to clean and safe water in adequate quantities, and accessible and adequate sanitation facilities. Realising this entitlement will ensure improved living standards with Awareness and strategies for water conservation policies will be pursued to raise civic responsibility on the use of water and protection of water sources. The free water initiative for households with combined household income of $30,000 that are consuming less than 91,250 litres per year will also continue. SANITATION Around 71 percent of the population have access to improved sanitation, including 25 percent that have access to sewerage facilities. Sanitation services will be improved 18