Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, 20 March 2025 – Behind the scenes of our tourism industry, one of the less glamorous but increasingly critical challenges we face is wastewater management—an issue that is often overlooked but one that has serious environmental and operational implications for our resorts and tourism operators.
In simple terms, wastewater is often referred to as “used water” or “dirty water”. It typically includes water that has been used in households, businesses, or industries and is no longer clean and in an ideal world, we would all be extremely concerned about our individual responsibility for where this is ending up – in drains that lead into sewer systems, or into creeks, rivers and eventually our oceans.
Wastewater management remains an area that many in the industry, including owners, operators, and even policymakers, are still coming to grips with.
There is a general lack of awareness regarding the legal obligations and the regulatory framework governing this crucial area.
Many operators, particularly those in off-grid locations, are either unaware of the latest requirements or struggle to comply due to outdated or impractical policies.
This raises significant concerns, not just for individual businesses but for the overall sustainability of Fiji’s tourism sector.
Recent consultations with industry stakeholders have reinforced the need for an open, solution-driven dialogue on wastewater recycling and treatment.
We strongly believe that innovative solutions must be widely understood, embraced, and eventually demanded as best practices.
Where policies exist or are being reviewed, stakeholder consultations are part of the review process that ensure that end-users understand compliance, best practices can be shared and there is a collective effort to adopt practices that are future fit.
We could use the current example of where this has gone completely wrong in the situation with waste management services. Solid waste is going through our sewer lines into many waste treatment plants that have exceeded their “use-by” dates. This has led to leaks that the public complains about only when it is visually disturbing or smells offensive.
But the real dangers are far worse as wastewater from treatment plants contaminates drinking sources, causes rapid algae growth, disrupts sensitive ecosystems and can cause bacteria and pathogens to lead to disease transmission that includes cholera, typhoid and gastrointestinal infections.
If this scares you – it should.
The good news is that solutions exist.
Many innovative technologies are now available that can treat, recycle, and repurpose wastewater in ways that significantly reduce environmental impact while also enhancing operational efficiency.
In other parts of the world, particularly in eco-conscious destinations, wastewater recycling is standard practice, with sufficiently treated water being used for toilet flushing, the irrigation of crops and gardens, and even as standby fire safety support water in drier areas with limited freshwater sources.
Some resorts in Fiji have already begun implementing such solutions, but widespread adoption is still lacking.
Why is this?
Because there is a lack of clear policies, enforcement mechanisms, and education on what sustainable wastewater management looks like in practice with policies outdated, non-existent, or inconsistently enforced.
This creates a frustrating gap between what is needed on the ground and what is mandated by authorities.
To complicate matters further, those policy drafters may not always be aware of the latest technologies or best practices available to an industry that takes this issue far more seriously.
This disconnect highlights the need for formal consultations that bring together key stakeholders to address wastewater management challenges generally.
We note from the government’s 20-year Development Plan that the Department of Water & Sewerage (DWS) is developing several critical water sector policies, (1) the National Wastewater Resource Management & Sanitation Policy, (2) the Water & Sewerage Services Bill, and (3) the Fiji Integrated Water Resources Management Plan. It is not clear what stage any of the above policies, plans or Bills are at.
The National Infrastructure Investment Plan has been allocated a minimum of $800m for the next 5 years for water & wastewater infrastructure renewal & climate resilience for its assets. We are not yet aware of what areas this is being planned for and whether the Vualiku Project for tourism development in the North, has been accounted for.
The National Liquid Trade Wastewater Policy guides the provision of efficient & effective management systems for liquid trade waste discharge. We note that SPREP (through UNDP) also developed something on this with the Ministry of Environment that makes more sense for economic and sustainability reasons.
The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) is making major capital investments in the maintenance of water sources & catchments, upgrading water treatment plants & wastewater treatment plants, etc.
Unfortunately, while WAF has consulted widely with tourism, most of their waste management plans appear to be based on patching up what should have been made obsolete some years ago and preparing for longer-term projects, because most short term plans are subject to annual budget allocation based on their significant priorities dealing with the already well-known challenges in Fiji’s water reticulation services.
Our question is twofold. Are the planners and policymakers involved aware of tourism’s long-term investment plans, the Ministry of Tourism’s National Sustainability Framework (NSTF), and where the commercial & residential growth areas are being predicted or planned for; usually as a result of tourism expansion?
If better planning and broader consultations had been conducted a decade or more ago, several large-scale developments in Nadi could have progressed as planned, rather than facing delays due to unresolved water, waste, and sewerage challenges.
The second part of this question is whether there are any concrete plans to engage with the industry, which is actively expanding, developing, and increasing its footprint.
Such engagement should include discussions on environmentally friendly solutions tailored for tourism operators and communities, particularly in island-based or water scarce regions.
We urge policymakers to take responsibility for directly engaging with communities, businesses, and industries. This engagement is essential to ensure access to fundamental infrastructure that supports development, incorporates environmental considerations as a core aspect of policy, and addresses critical health and sanitation needs.
By fostering open dialogue, the industry can gain a clearer understanding of current compliance requirements, explore or share innovative recycling and waste management solutions, and strive toward sustainable best practices that align with regulatory expectations and operational realities.
With over 70 years of experience navigating compliance challenges, we have repeatedly faced the difficulty of trying to adapt tourism’s unique operational conditions to fit within rigid and often outdated regulatory frameworks. We are consistently advocating for this to change.
Without far more consolidated efforts, there is a risk of fragmented approaches that fail to deliver meaningful, long-term improvements.
At its core, this is a sustainability and health issue. Fiji’s reputation as a safe, clean, and pristine tourism destination is what sets us apart.
How can we make all aspects of how we do business work within these sustainability frameworks?
If we fail to address wastewater management adequately, we risk polluting our waters, damaging marine life, and creating long-term environmental problems that will ultimately hurt our industry our communities and ultimately our economy.
More immediately, the economic benefits of better wastewater management are undeniable.
We will be formally proposing a stakeholder consultation with the Ministry of Tourism and other relevant agencies to align efforts and set a clear path forward.
The goal is to create tangible action points that will drive change in how wastewater is managed across Fiji.
The industry has already started the process of evaluating wastewater practices and exploring ways to incorporate innovative solutions that are operationally viable and support sustainability efforts.
Whether through investment in modern treatment systems, staff training, or lobbying for clearer regulatory frameworks, every effort will contribute to a more resilient and environmentally responsible industry.
With the right policies, technologies, and commitment, we can ensure that wastewater management becomes an asset rather than a liability—safeguarding our environment and securing our place as a leader in sustainable practices.
But one industry cannot do this alone – it needs a national and collaborative focus that might also be an opportunity for where Private Public Partnerships would succeed.
Fantasha Lockington – CEO, FHTA (Published in the Fiji Times on 20 March 2025)
Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association
The Voice of the Industry
