Dive Academy Fiji at Viani Bay Resort has implemented a sustainable, clean-water initiative for a nearby primary school.
The new initiative is a practical model for coastal communities seeking low-maintenance, climate-resilient water solutions. The program was part of the resort’s wider commitment to conservation, sustainable tourism and community development.
Staff from the academy partnered with Ucunivatu Primary School and local volunteers to install the area’s first solar-powered desalination unit. The project involved complex logistics, including transporting equipment by boat, digging trenches, laying pipelines, preparing concrete foundations and providing hands-on support during setup.
As a result, the school now has a portable desalination system with a backup generator for cloudy days and storage tanks to ensure a safe, reliable fresh water supply.
The fresh water system supplies clean drinking water each day to 52 students, four teachers and their families, a nursery group and nearby households in this remote coastal community. This is a huge improvement, as previously the local well yielded only brackish water, and rainwater harvesting frequently failed during dry spells, leaving residents vulnerable to water shortages.
Commenting on the desalination project, Dive Academy Fiji co-founder Marina Walser stated:
“Our conservation and community initiatives are interconnected – from reef restoration and environmental education to scholarships and now clean drinking water. The system is simple, affordable, and practical for remote areas. It shows what can be achieved when local commitment and international support come together. We are deeply grateful to the German embassy for making this project possible.”
