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MWSC supply water safe for drinking: Environment Minister

Shahudha Mohamed
20 March 2019, MVT 12:47
Minister of Environment Dr Hussain Rasheed Hassan speaking in the media event held to ensure the safety of tap water for public consumption. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT. Clean Water, drinking water safe, environment ministry
Shahudha Mohamed
20 March 2019, MVT 12:47

Minister of Environment Dr Hussain Rasheed stated on Tuesday that the desalinated water provided by Maldives water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) is the highest quality of water supplied in the region.

This statement was made at a media event held to ensure the safety of tap water for public consumption. This is a part of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's electoral pledges to reduce finances allocated for clean water supply, as well as curtailing usage of plastic bottles.

"Compared to other countries in the region, and compared to World Health Organization's (WHO) standards, water supply in Male' is suitable for consumption", Minister Hussain Rasheed said.

MWSC, Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) and Environment Protection Agency (EPA) guaranteed that the desalinated water supplied in Male' undergo three stages of analysis, and further tests, assuring that the quality of water is maintained.

Additionally, the environment minister noted that a large number of bottled water is consumed on a daily basis even though the safety of water supply for public consumption is ensured. He stated that a minimum of 200,000 plastic bottles used in Maldives per day.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen urged the public to stop the consumption of bottled water as MWSC provides quality desalinated water supply.

Drinking water in Maldives is produced by desalinating and purifying sea water through a series of stages.

MFDA's Senior Scientific Officer Sajidha Mohamed stated that no trace of microbes were found in the water supply of Maldives.

Additionally, she highlighted that the chemicals used in the purification process are present at much lower levels in the supplied water compared to the standard levels established by WHO and EPA.

Work is ongoing to introduce a recycling programme to minimize single-use plastic. EPA's Director General Ibrahim Mohamed stated that a "container deposit scheme", was being devised. When this scheme is introduced, MVR one would be added to the price of every bottle, which will be returned to customers once they bring back the bottles for recycling.

MWSC stated that the awareness programme urging to opt for safe tap water over bottled water will be conducted in islands as well.

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