Council initiates efforts to fix water pressure problems affecting Male’ high-rise buildings

The Male’ City Council has initiated efforts to provide a permanent solution to water pressure control problems affecting the city’s high-rise buildings, leaving the tens of thousands of people in the capital without water during peak hours.

The issue was raised during a city council meeting on Wednesday by Deputy Mayor Mekhael Mohamed Riyaz.

Mekhael noted that people who live in upper floors of high-rise buildings have difficulty accessing water supply during peak hours for water demand, especially during weekends.

He said that residents of some homes have repeatedly complained that they are completely cut off from water during certain hours.

Mekhael expressed concern over the financial burden facing residents if they want to resolve the issue by installing booster pumps and other such equipment.

He said that the situation was also highly unfair, as people who live, for example on the sixth floor, pay the same water tariff rates as those who live on the first, put have to pay around MVR 80,000 to install equipment to ensure they get access to water.

This is not a financial burden that ordinary middleclass families can bear, he said.

Mekhael proposed discussing the issue with Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) and the Utility Regulatory Authority (URA). He also proposed urging authorities to allow people to install pumps that fit safety standards through more affordable third-party sources.

The motions were seconded by Hussain Furushan, the representative for North Maafannu.

Mayor Adam Azim acknowledged the issue was a huge burden on the people, and provided assurance the city council would work to provide a speedy solution.