Ministry Urges Water Conservation as El Niño Conditions Continue

The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources is urging Fijians, particularly communities dependent on boreholes and groundwater, to conserve water and prepare for an extended period of dry conditions.

Through its Mineral Resources Department, the Ministry said Fiji faces the possibility of below-normal rainfall as El Niño conditions continue.

According to the latest climate outlook from the Fiji Meteorological Service, below-normal rainfall is likely across Fiji and Rotuma through February 2027.

The current El Niño is expected to continue through the remainder of 2026 and into early 2027, with the possibility of strengthening to strong or very strong intensity.

Below-normal rainfall is forecast for September, as well as during the September to November 2026 and December 2026 to February 2027 periods.

The Ministry warned that prolonged dry conditions could put additional pressure on groundwater supplies, particularly in communities that rely heavily on boreholes for household and other essential needs.

“Groundwater is an important source of water for many communities across Fiji, particularly in areas where communities are heavily reliant on boreholes,” the Ministry said.

It noted that monitoring groundwater can be challenging because the resource is underground and cannot be directly observed.

Communities are being encouraged to conserve water, avoid unnecessary use and prioritise available supplies for essential household needs.

People relying on groundwater have also been advised to watch for signs of declining supplies, including reduced borehole yields, low water pressure and wells running dry.

The Ministry is encouraging households and communities to identify and repair leaking or damaged pipes, tanks and taps, while ensuring borehole areas are protected from contamination.

People should also follow official water conservation measures and weather advisories as conditions develop.

The Mineral Resources Department will continue monitoring groundwater resources and provide technical assistance and advice where required, particularly for communities dependent on groundwater.

The public is also being urged to keep up to date with climate outlooks, weather forecasts and official advisories issued by the Fiji Meteorological Service.

With dry conditions potentially continuing into early 2027, the Ministry is encouraging communities to conserve available water and prepare early to minimise the impact of declining water availability.