Researchers
Dr Laura Montano, Engineering, UNSW
Associate Professor Dr Andrew Dansie, Engineering, UNSW
Associate Professor Dr Anna Bruce, Engineering, UNSW
Dr Tolu Muliaina, Centre for Sustainable Futures, The University of South Pacific
Funding
This project was part of the Australian Human Rights Institute’s 2025 joint seed funding round with UNSW Engineering, receiving $20,000.
Summary
Access to safe water and sanitation is a fundamental human right. Goal 6 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG6) is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Yet, limited progress has been made toward realising SDG6 in the Pacific Island Countries where one-third of children do not have access to good sanitation and one in ten do not have access to drinking water. The relative remoteness of the Pacific region poses unique challenges to accessing adequate water and sanitation. Access is even more restricted in rural areas; in Fiji, over 70% of the population living in rural areas have limited access to safely managed drinking water.
Like other Pacific Island Countries, Fiji is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, climate change and sea level rise. Climate change increases the risk of contamination in water supply and sanitation systems. Contamination can lead to critical health problems such as typhoid fever, diarrhoea and faecal-oral diseases. In addition, local community efforts to increase access to safe drinking water (such as roof-harvested rainwater tanks) and decentralised sanitation systems (such as septic systems or pit latrines) are introducing potential health risks to communities.
This study will build upon existing partnerships and data collected by UNSW Engineering students to capture water quality data in four remote villages in Fiji (Mali Island, Viwa Island, Wainika Village and Yanuca Island). This data will be collected and assessed in collaboration with community members to better understand the water quality of local drinking water sources. As it is the first time that water quality data has been captured in these villages, this research will provide evidence-based information that can improve water access systems and promote the reduction of waterborne diseases. The data gathered will serve as the baseline for future innovative engineering designs aiming to improve water quality, foster healthier communities, and ensure progress on the universal human right to safe water and sanitation.