Residents of Showground community in Luganville have been facing a serious water shortage since Friday last week, with supply still not restored.

Community member Freddy Vuti told VBTC News this is not the first time families in the area have been left without water, and he raised concerns over the lack of prior notice from authorities.

“I live at the airport side of Showground, it is an area that most of the times they don’t have water. Something bad is that the department concerned doesn’t notify us, so families cannot prepare for the water cuts,” Vuti said.

He appealed to the Water Department to fix the issue:

“People here depend on the service provided. I’m just appealing to the department concerned to at least improve our water system in Luganville.”

Sanma Provincial Water Supervisor, Mrs. Christina Aga, explained that a high rural-urban drift into Luganville has increased demand on the old water system, making it difficult to supply everyone.

She added that a recent accident also worsened the problem.

“Recently, a truck damaged an inlet pipe that connects the main supply to Showground. Because of this, the tank does not fill up to the level we need to supply all of Luganville.”

Mrs. Aga confirmed that an emergency plan is in place to replace leaking pipes, but work will only begin once JCP contractors are available to dig.

Looking ahead, she said the long-term solution will come through the Luganville Urban Water, Sanitation and Shelter Project, currently overseen by the VPMU. The project will take about four years to complete and will expand the system to meet future demand.