The majority of Maldivian islands have been reliant upon rainwater and well water as primary sources of freshwater. Islanders hasten to clean their rooftops to collect rainwater during rainy days and fill up their water tanks to be kept as a reserve for when it is sunny. Furthermore, well are built to collect fresh underground water for daily and economic uses.

However, during the past decades, due to negative effects mainly contributed to global warming and overpopulation, many of the inhabited islands face acute water shortages especially during the warmer months. The amount of rainfall has decreased significantly, and the freshwater lenses in many islands have now been completely depleted.

A sustainable solution is required to ensure a continuous supply of fresh water to the island communities. With this intention, the government of the Maldives established water supply services in 41 islands, and these systems are now under the operations of Fenaka. Out of these, 37 islands have Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants and 16 islands have rainwater purification systems. As of now, we are capable of producing up to 8688 tonnes (8,688,000 liters) of desalinated RO water and purified rainwater per day.

Under the government’s pledge to develop mechanisms of freshwater supply in all inhabited islands, more systems are currently being established across the country. Therefore, in the coming months and years, the water systems operated by Fenaka is expected to increase.