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The Way of Water

How the Maldives is restoring water security on its most at-risk outer islands

By UNDP Maldives

February 2^nd, 2024

As We Were

In Raa Atoll Madduvari Island in central Maldives, homemaker Sazna Abdul Rasheed, was sweltering under the scorching heat of the tropical sun. It was the hottest time of the year, with the March equinox having just passed. The prolonged dry spell had drained the community's water reservoirs, leaving them depleted. Excitement welled within Sazna as she prepared to harvest the eagerly awaited abundance of rainwater expected to shower down from the heavens later that afternoon. Word had spread about this promising forecast through the community's newly upgraded weather app, sparking hope amidst the parched landscape.

Rainy day on an island in the Maldives. Image: Marta Baraibar/ UNDP

Sazna cleans out her roof with an ekle broom, crafted from the midrib of coconut leaves, to prepare for harvesting rainwater. The rain will collect in her roof gutter, which channels the water into downspouts and then into large household tanks, ready for daily use—from drinking to cooking and washing. The way it’s been done for generations.

Although Sazna’s island of Raa Madduvari is one of the recent recipients of the water network under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project led by the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, and her home now gets a regular supply of water, Sazna is still adamant about collecting the rainwater today.

Woman in Maduvari collecting water from the water tap at home, installed as part of the water network under the GCF Project. Photo: Ashwa Faheem/UNDP Maldives

“The water network in Raa Madduvari Island will give 1,628 residents, including 790 women, access to safe drinking water, increase water security and help the people of the island to overcome water shortages caused due to climate change. But we would not want people to stop relying on time-tested methods of resilience that have worked for them through the ages and made better economic sense. I refer to the old local adage ‘veheythaa fen nagaashey’ (collect water whilst it rains). Keep doing that. Keep being prepared. Build on your self-sufficiency and become resilient,” the words of a UNDP official from a recent visit to the island echoes in Sazna’s ears.

With more than three quarters of its 1,190 coral islands standing less than 1 meter above sea level, the Maldives, is extremely vulnerable to climate change. Photo: Ashwa Faheem/ UNDP Maldives

99% Water

For the Maldives, its unique geographical attributes make its water resource situation complex and diverse. With more than 80% islands already experiencing drinking water shortages annually during the dry season, the country is faced with freshwater security problems resulting from climate change induced variable rainfall patterns, more frequent extreme weather events and sea-level rise induced salinity of groundwater.

With more than three quarters of its 1,190 coral islands standing less than 1 meter above sea level, the Maldives, comprised of 99% water and 1% land, is extremely vulnerable to climate change.

Climate change is an ever-present threat to Maldives. Photo: Ashwa Faheem/UNDP Maldives

The impacts are already in evidence. Records show the small island state is already seeing significant warming alongside prolonged dry periods and decreasing total rainfall, sea level rise, and more frequent and intense extreme weather events such as flash floods.

Taken together, and in addition to existing human-driven pressures on the natural environment, the country faces a perfect storm. The government recognises the scale of the challenges and is focused on climate action. Adaptation has remained a top national priority.

Too Close for Comfort

Over the years, the small island state’s freshwater resources have faced increasing pressures from overuse and pollution. Now, the impacts of climate change are compounding the challenges, with rainfall becoming increasingly unpredictable and rising sea levels (currently around 3mm/year) polluting precious sources of groundwater.

Drinking water shortages have become a regular occurrence on the outer islands during the dry season, with significant impacts on people’s health, food security and productivity.

Poor sanitation and groundwater contamination has exacerbated the risk of water-borne diseases. Women in particular have been affected by poor-quality water due to their family roles in cooking, washing, bathing children and house cleaning. Complaints of skin irritations and infections are common.

Enhancing water security is a key focus under the small island state’s climate goals and one of the ways the government is building more resilient islands.

The Cooling Effect

In 2017, the Government of the Maldives launched a $28.2 million project with the backing of the Green Climate Fund and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to secure year-round, safe, reliable, and uninterrupted water supply to residents of the most vulnerable outer islands – around 105,000 people, or one third of the national population.

Despite some delays due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and supply chain issues, the project was completed in 2023.

More than a quarter of the outer islands’ population live under the poverty line of $2/day, making bottled water an expensive cost. Photo: Ashwa Faheem/UNDP Maldives

Droplets of Hope

Safe Water for Households Most in Need

One of the cornerstones of the Maldives' water security efforts under the project is the provision of safe drinking water to households most in need. Benefiting nearly 20,000 residents across 29 islands, this initiative has not only ensured access to clean water but has also stimulated livelihoods and economic activity, including the development of tourism. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) systems, powered by renewable energy sources such as solar PV, have played a crucial role in providing 24-hour water service to communities. Moreover, rainwater harvesting systems have bolstered water storage capacity on 25 islands, ensuring year-round water security. The development of occupational standards, certifications, and training programs has further enhanced the capacity of local stakeholders in managing water resources effectively.

“Being a woman never stopped me from reaching my goals,”

The project is projected to reach more than 105,000 people (half of them women) on more than 100 remote islands. Photo: Ashwa Faheem/UNDP Maldives

Constant Water Supply

To address the challenges posed by seasonal fluctuations in water availability, the Maldives has implemented decentralized and cost-effective dry season water supply systems across seven northern atolls, benefiting approximately 73,000 people. Legislative support, including the development of the Water and Sanitation Act, has laid the groundwork for enhanced governance in water management. The establishment of a monitoring portal for water and sanitation has facilitated real-time monitoring and support at the community level. Investments in enhanced rain forecasting capabilities have enabled the Maldives Meteorology Service to provide timely alerts, optimizing rainwater harvesting efforts and potentially reducing water provision costs across 29 islands.

Securing Freshwater Reserves

Recognizing the importance of securing freshwater reserves for long-term resilience, the Maldives has undertaken comprehensive groundwater baseline studies for 37 islands, informing the design of Manage Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems tailored to each island's unique needs. These initiatives have not only improved groundwater quality but have also resulted in the designation of groundwater as a protected resource, shifting water production away from groundwater extraction for long-term sustainability. Legislative and regulatory frameworks, including the Water and Sanitation Act and Water Resource Protection Regulation, have been formulated based on data and expertise derived from groundwater studies, underscoring the government's commitment to safeguarding water resources for future generations.

Achieving Climate Resilience Goals through the GCF Project

Installing 25 rainwater harvesting and 4 reverse osmosis systems across 29 islands impacting 105,000 people.

Turning the Tides

The project represents a turning point in water security in the Maldives, marking a move away from reactive emergency measures to longer-term solutions, with benefits on all fronts.

Importantly, the project’s model is cost-effective, combining expensive desalination technology with expanding the water harvesting capabilities and cutting down the cost of imported fuel by switching to renewable energy. The decentralization of water production and distribution means communities will now have access to water in a more timely way during the emergency seasons.

Water will be more affordable for households and the state. The cost of supplying water during dry periods will be cut by an estimated 40 percent: an annual saving of around MVR 1.5 million (US$98,000).

Due to the scalability of such an efficient model, the Government has now fully adopted it and is currently installing necessary infrastructure across the other atolls and islands.

The project has leveraged more than US$333 million in public funds for further scaling, engendering a true transformation in addressing water shortages.

With access to safe drinking water, communities will see reduced risk of waterborne disease, improved social security, and less outward migration from outer islands, with flow on benefits for development, local tourism and livelihoods.