South Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN IV)

By:

Ms. Shaheeda Adam Ibrahim

Director General

Water and Sanitation Department

Ministry of Housing and Environment

4th – 7th April 2011

Republic of Maldives

Country Profile

Total no. of islands : 1190No. of inhabited islands : 198Geographical area :90,000km2Land area : 300km2No. of geographic atolls is 26 and administrative is 20Elevation: Less than 2m above mean sea levelPopulation of Maldives. : 324,992Population of the capital, Male’: 103,693 ( Area : 2sq. Km )Annual growth rate : 1.69%Climate :Tropical, warm and humidMean Annual Temperature : 25 to 31 Degrees CelsiusAnnual rainfall : 2000mm

Background:

• In Maldives water resources are mainly available as groundwater and rain water

Maldives has very little in terms of freshwater resources. There is practically no surface water sources

Freshwater resources exists as groundwater - unconfined and extends below seal level in the form of a thin freshwater lens.

These island aquifers lie at a depth of 1-1.5 meters below the surface Rainwater harvesting is the primary source of drinking water in 90%

of the outer islands with groundwater used for washing, agriculture and other domestic uses. Desalinated water is mainly used in the capital island with piped connections.

Wastewater disposal systems in most of the outer islands are within the plot (on-site sanitation using septic tanks and soak pits).

In the capital and 22 other islands sewerage systems are installed

Water and Sewerage Services

Country Commitment

The provision of safe drinking water supply and sanitation is regarded as a basic right for all Maldivians in the new constitution of the country (2008)

To achieve the goals and objectives of the sector the priority areas and activities are included in the national development plans and programmes:The National Strategic Action plan 2009-2013 -the principal planning document of the Government includes Policies, Goals, Objectives and strategies for the water and sanitation sector

The Ministry of Housing and Environment Annual work plan with activities and budget

National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA)

 

 

Goals and objectives of the sector

1. Ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities as a basic human right for all.

2. Protect and preserve the country’s vital fresh water resources and establish water stocks for use in emergency and disasters.

3. Enhance the role of private sector participation in the provision of water and sanitation services while encouraging a smooth shift in the role of the government as a regulator and facilitator in the provision of these services.

4. Introduce the use of renewable energy and other modern technologies to minimize the cost of providing drinking water and sanitation systems

and to protect ground water.

Key Sector Policies:Strategic Action Plan (2009-2013) :

Policy 1: Improve accessibility in delivery of safe water and sanitation services.

Policy 2: Prioritize provision of safe water and sanitation when designing development projects and emergency response.

Policy 3: Establish effective operation and maintenance procedure for water and sanitation systems in the Maldives.

Policy 4: Facilitate private sector investment in the water and sanitation sector.

Policy 5: Strengthen technical, financial and human resources capacity for water and sanitation sector.

Policy 6: Enhance community and civil society participation in the water and sanitation sector.

Policy 7: Strengthen legal and institutional framework to improve sector performance.

Policy 8: Improve water resources management to preserve environment.

Policy 9: Improve safe water consumption at public and domestic levels through implementation of thorough water safety plans.

Sanitation Coverage ,2006 census.

access to improved sanitation with island wide sewerage systems in Maldives

100%

Male’ ( Urban)15%

85%

Outer Islands

37%

63%

Republic

% access to sewer network

% without access to sewer network

• On-site sanitation is not considered as safe sanitation.

Types of Sewerage Systems

Sewerage systems are in operation in 22 islands:• Small bore systems (9 islands)• Conventional gravity system (11 islands)• Vacuum systems (4 islands)

Types of Sewerage Treatment systems in operation• Aeration system •Filter Beds•Rotating Bio Dics

Vilifushi IslandArea : 13.5 haDensity (land/capita) : 691 sq.ftType of system - Conventional gravity HDPE: 160 & 225STP : RBC - Aeration

Vilifushi-Sewerage Treatment Plant RBC - AerationFiltration – ChlorinationSea Outfall & Recharge

Vilifushi-Drying bed & Compost used for agriculture/gardening

Environment Friendly methods

2007 2008 2009 20100

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Access to safe sanitation facilities in outer islands

No. of

Isl

ands

Challenges

Lack of institutional and financial capacity for establishment, operation and management of water and sewerage services

Providing services to all the islands - dispersed population ( Individual systems for different islands)

Lack of cost effective technology for small islands. Lack of trained personnel in the sector Lack of regulatory framework, guidelines and standards Lack of capacity to respond in an emergency and in mitigating

the impacts of climate change (water shortages during dry periods)

THANK YOU