MWSC to Launch Innovative Deep-Sea Water Plant 500 Metres Below Sea Level

The Malé Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) will begin construction on a pioneering water production plant located 500 metres below sea level by mid-next year, marking a significant shift in the nation's utility infrastructure. Managing Director Hussain Fahmy announced the initiative during a joint broadcast by Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu and Television Maldives. The project, developed in collaboration with a specialized Norwegian firm, aims to leverage deep-sea water to overcome the critical land scarcity that often hinders the expansion of water plants on the islands. According to Fahmy, seawater sourced from these depths is significantly cleaner than water drawn through traditional boreholes, containing fewer organic metals. This purity is expected to increase operational efficiency and lower overall costs. Furthermore, the depth of the plant will improve energy efficiency and streamline the discharge of reject water back into the ocean. MWSC has already signed the project agreement and is currently conducting essential feasibility, technical, and environmental assessments. To ensure successful implementation, the company plans to send a technical team to Norway to study existing deep-sea water facilities and gain practical expertise before breaking ground in the Maldives. Beyond the deep-sea project, MWSC is advancing plans to secure the water supply between the capital and surrounding hubs. The company intends to lay pipelines alongside the Thilamalé Bridge to connect Malé and Hulhumalé to a new water storage system planned for either Thilafushi or Gulhifalhu. Due to the substantial investment required for this network, MWSC is currently in discussions with the government to align the project's timeline with the completion of the Thilamalé Bridge. These combined efforts are part of a broader strategy to strengthen the national water system and expand essential services across the atolls.