Water and Sewerage Master Plan 2021-2035.

This Master Plan, in order to allow all inhabitants of Maldives to benefit from access to safe water supply and adequate sewerage services, provides for: water security, integrated water resources management, wastewater management, improved water and sanitation services, in order to reduce the multidimensional poverty in the islands and improve the opportunity for stronger participation of the population in the economic activities. Therefore, this Master Plan defines the following priorities of the water sector: adoption of cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies; encouraging private sector investment; strengthening the legal framework; maintaining financial and environmental stability; promotion of research and development in the sector; protection and conservation of water resources. The Master Plan is formulated in the legal and policy framework involving the Water and Sewerage Act no. 8 of 2020, and several Policies and Strategic Plans.
This Master Plan is structured as follows: introduction; socio-economic development of Maldives, including: multidimensional poverty index, environmental conditions and climate change; current status of water and sewerage sector, including: status of water and sanitation services, drinking water and sanitation and hygiene, service areas in water supply and sanitation, climate change effects on water quality; institutional aspects and mandates; development status for the Masterplan, consumer perspective, public health and hygiene, evaluation, research and assessment, integrated water resource management, waste and wastewater management; consumer education and water demand management; Strategic Action Plan 2019-2023 and water and sewerage Master Plan for the period 2021-2025; investment Plan; Water and Sewerage Master Plan for the period 2026-2035 and services development towards upgrading and sustainable activities; water supply emergency services.
Concerning the activities and the requested measures to be implemented, the Master Plan focuses on the following: development and enforcement of national quality standards for sewage and wastewater disposal; including groundwater recharge mechanism and rainwater storage in infrastructure development; development of technical solutions for managing sludge at sewage treatment facilities; development of regional water quality testing and surveillance capacity with certified laboratories; identification of flood prone areas and development of criteria for disaster management; ensuring adequate safe drinking water supply and delivery during droughts and emergencies; integration of flood mitigation and minimisation measures in public infrastructure projects.