Technical failure in newly installed RO plant forces Addu to ration water for days, with Fenaka citing an 'emergency' delay in repairs

Water services in connected neighbourhoods of the country’s second most populous city have been disrupted for three days since last Wednesday.

The Addu Fenaka Branch’s Viber community channel said the newly installed RO plant in Addu had encountered a technical problem, and therefore water services in connected islands may be disrupted. Fenaka estimated the issue would be resolved by Friday.

However, the branch said in a message on Saturday that the problem was not resolved by Friday due to an “emergency” issue.

The work will be completed and water service will be available from Sunday.

Addu Deputy Mayor Mohamed Shuaau told Sun on Saturday that the two existing plants are supplying water at certain times to manage the supply due to the deterioration of the newly installed RO plant.

“Then on Saturday they [technical workers] came and said they will finish the work by night and the water will be released Sunday,” he said.

He said the RO plant is operated at certain hours to supply water, while water is distributed to different parts of Addu for an hour at a time.

He said the people of Addu are frustrated that the water problem remains unresolved and prolonged. He added that the sewerage situation in the city is also poor.

“We have raised the issues with the HRCM, the government, the President’s Office and all institutions and raised the concern with all relevant authority,” he said.

Last January, Addu also experienced an eight‑hour water cut.

Apart from water, one of the biggest problems faced by Addu is the occasional power outages in connected islands of the city. The people of Addu have been complaining about the issue for several days.

In early November, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu met with the people of Addu and said the government has decided to launch a major project to establish 30 MW of electricity capacity in Addu.