Male' Water and Sewerage Company Limited (MWSC) Managing Director Hussain Fahmy has said that a project to build a water treatment plant 500 meters below Maldives' ocean is set to begin next year.

While giving an interview on "Ahaashey Bunaanan", a joint program between Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu (Voice of Maldives) and Television Maldives (TVM), Fahum said that many efforts are being conducted to strengthen Maldives' water system and expanding that service to atolls.

He stated that one of the most notable projects they have planned in developing the industry is an innovative project in treating water while underwater.

Additionally, Fahmy said that the project to establish a water treatment plant 500 meters below sea level will proceed jointly with an accomplished and experienced Norwegian company.

Fahmy went on to say that the project agreement has been signed, with feasibility research, and technical and environmental assessments currently being conducted. He said that once they are done, practical work will begin in the middle of next year.

"What we are doing first is a financial feasibility, how much of an investment it will be. This has a lot of major advantages, such as being energy efficient, convenience in releasing rejected water into the ocean, with the salt that resides 500 meters below sea level being very clean," said Fahmy.

Fahmy said that with this, work expenses will be low due to increased water pressure, and that as there will be difficulties in building a water plant on land, it will be seen as an accomplishment for a country such as Maldives.

He also said that with the completion of the Thilamale' Bridge, the decision has been made to lay pipelines to provide water to Male' and Hulhumale'.

He stated that the network will incur a hefty expense, and that discussions are being held with the government to begin the project by the time the bridge is complete.