Small Islands Drilling
Due to the special nature of working in the remore islands, this is described as a separate exercise from other groundwater projects.
The annual Small Islands Drilling program is made by the Hydrogeology Section after consulting the Public Works Department. There are usually two trips made to the island: one for carrying the hydrogeological investigations involving geophysical surveys and the other for drilling boreholes. Budget for carrying such activities is critical as travel expanses and allowances contribute largely to the expanses.
Islands which have good access are drilled with GEMCO drilling. This is not always the case since most of the small islands in Fiji do not have good roads and tracks are used for access. A tractor is used to pull a portable rig like the Ross Surveyor for drilling.
Below is the list of islands which has been investigated and drilled for the past 10 years:
| Lakeba, Lau Naviti, Yasawa Naviti, Marou Naviti, Kese Naviti, (Soso) Galoa (Kadavu) Nacula, Yasawa Taveuni Moturiki, Lomaiviti Batiki Yanuca, Serua |
Onolevu, Lau Doi, Lau Onolevu Fulaga, Lau Nabouono, Macuata Moce, Lau Komo, Lau Wakaya Yacata, Cakaudrove Kioa, Cakaudrove |