Council prepares to sue Fenaka over lack of access to clean water in Fuvahmulah

The Fuvahmulah City Council has decided to file a lawsuit against Fenaka Corporation, alleging that the tap water in some of the households of the populous southern city remains unsafe, despite the all-clear given by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA).

Fuvahmulah had suffered an interruption to its water supply on November 10, depriving over 11,000 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 November 13. However, despite the insistence by the MFDA following tests that the water in the city fits the World Health Organization (WHO)’s standards for safety, multiple residents continue to complain that the tap water remains discolored and carries a foul odor.

Many have posted photos on social media, showing the discoloration.

Fuvahmulaku Fenuge massalaiga, Galolhu uthuru MP @mohamedkudu hushahelhi kulli massala sarukaarun beyru kuree Fenuge massala noolhey kamah bune. Ekamaku miee mivaguthu network ga huri fen.#FuvahmulahWaterCrisis pic.twitter.com/TDEnOsopQC

— Issis (@Aliixxath) November 16, 2025

In a statement on Monday morning, the city council said it plans to file a lawsuit against Fenaka, seeking a court order to force the state utility service to ascertain the safety of the water its supplies to Fuvahmulah, and to comply with the recommendations and standards set by the Utility Regulatory Authority (URA) and other relevant bodies.

The city council warned that in addition to filing a lawsuit, it will also be raising the issue with the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM).

The council said that it had repeatedly raised concerns over issues with the city’s water supply, long before it began suffering disruptions to water services in October.

The council said that the URA had conducted an inspection based on its request in October, following which the authority instructed Fenaka to make seven key rectifications. They are:

• Repair and re-operationalize the affected water plant
• Repair and re-operationalize the affected boreholes as soon as possible
• Repair and operationalize a third storage tank
• Conduct an assessment to identify the leaks and the cause for the leaks, and fix it
• Conduct surveys to identify households with cross connections and stop it
• Establish a testing mechanism to ensure the water supply complies with URA’s standards
• Prepare a proposal and a timeline to upgrade the water network in order to meet the rising demand in Fuvahmulah

The city council said that Fenaka had eventually cut off water to the entire city on November 10 when the latest tests showed a high level of contamination.

“But they resumed water supply on November 13. This council has raised concerns about this with the Health Protection Agency, the Maldives Food and Drug Authority, as well as the Health Ministry,” reads the statement.

The council said that while the MFDA issued a statement on November 14 saying the water was safe for consumption, residents continue to complain that it is not.

The council added that it had asked the MFDA to share the test reports with them, but have yet to receive it.

The city council therefore appealed to Fenaka to cut off drinking water until it complies with URA’s recommendations and the authority ascertains compliance.

It also appealed to residents of the city to remain vigilant regarding the use of the water supply, citing lack of any confidence in its safety.

The city council said it also plans to conduct its own tests on the water through an independent party, and expedite its water botting project in order to improve access to safe drinking water.