Nellaidhoo Completes Major Water and Sewerage Project to Boost Island Utilities

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development has announced the completion of practical works for the water and sewerage system in Nellaidhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll. Following rigorous testing, the system was successfully commissioned on August 11, marking a significant milestone in the island's utility infrastructure. The final operations were conducted through a collaborative effort involving ministry technical staff, the Nellaidhoo Council, and the Fenaka Corporation. The project was executed by a joint venture between Altec Maldives Private Limited and Rasheed Carpentry and Construction Private Limited, with funding provided by the OPEC Fund for International Development and the state budget. At the heart of the new system is a Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant building that houses administrative offices and a specialized laboratory for water quality testing. To ensure sustainable and eco-friendly operations, the facility is powered by a 21-kilowatt solar panel array. The drinking water infrastructure is designed for high capacity, featuring two drilled boreholes and two RO plants capable of producing 35 tonnes of fresh water daily. Storage capacity is further bolstered by two 200-tonne drinking water tanks and an additional 200-tonne rainwater harvesting tank. Waste management has also been modernized with the installation of a 7.5-kilometre sewerage network, supported by two pumping stations and a dedicated sewage treatment plant. To complete the utility loop, the project included the construction of a sea outfall, the installation of building catchpits, and the deployment of an 8.8-kilometre water piping network with individual water meter connections. With the physical construction now finished, the project enters its final transition phase. The Ministry stated that the system will now be handed over to a designated operator to begin providing official services to the residents of Nellaidhoo, ensuring a reliable supply of clean water and improved sanitation for the community.