Emergency motion alleging unsafe water at Fuvahmulah rejected citing MFDA all-clear

An emergency motion submitted to the Parliament alleging lack of access to clean water in the populous Fuvahmulah City was rejected on Sunday, citing the all-clear given by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA).

The motion, submitted by North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), was rejected by Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, who said that it fails to comply with the stipulation that emergency motions submitted to the Parliament must be based on fact.

Abdul Raheem said that following tests run on samples collected from multiple areas in Fuvahmulah, the MFDA had announced on Friday that the municipal water in the city fit the World Health Organization (WHO)’s standards for safety.

Fuvahmulah had suffered an interruption to its water supply on November 10, depriving the thousands of people who live in the city of access to water for three days. The state utility service, Fenaka Corporation, attributed the issue to contamination and leaks.

The company disinfected the pipeline and storage tanks and resumed water services on Thursday. However, multiple residents continued to complain that the water was discolored and had a foul odor.

In his motion, Kudu blamed the disruption of water services in Fuvahmulah on the failure of Fenaka to carry out regular maintenance works.

He also said that while the MFDA may have given the all-clear, it is clear from the color and odor that the water isn’t safe.

Kudu said that in addition to affecting daily life and posing a health hazard to the thousands of residents of Fuvahmulah, it is harming the large number of tourists who visit the city.

The Fuvahmulah City Council has raised concerns over the issue with authorities, citing that multiple households have complained that the water supply isn’t clean.

Several residents have posted photos on social media, showing the discoloration.