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Maldives - Country Water Profiles

Framework Law

The main law applicable to water resources management, which covers all of the following areas: administration; management, conservation and use of freshwater resources; water rights; waterworks; water supply
No legislation available

Constitutional provisions

Constitution of Maldives.
Date of text: 23 February 2019

Right to water: Every citizen has specified rights pursuant to this Constitution, and the State undertakes to achieve the progressive realization of these rights by reasonable measures within its ability and resources. rights include adequate and nutritious food and clean water (Art. 23).

Natural resources: The State has a fundamental duty to protect and preserve the natural environment, biodiversity, resources and beauty of the country for the benefit of present and future generations (Art. 22). All living, non-living and naturally occurring resources of value within the Exclusive Economic Zone and the seabed of the Maldives shall vest in the State. Economic and social rights shall incdlude equal access to natural resources (Art. 23). It shall be the duty of every citizen to preserve and protect the natural environment, biodiversity, resources and beauty of the country and to abstain from all forms of pollution and ecological degradation (Art. 67).

Agriculture

Water used for irrigation, forestry and aquaculture
No legislation available

Water Supply and Sanitation

Provision of water services by public utilities or commercial organizations; water supply for domestic, industrial or other purposes; right to safe and clean drinking water and basic sanitation; quality of piped water; sewerage
Regulation on the Protection and Conservation of Environment in the Tourism Industry.
Date of text: 23 February 2019
Sewage Disposal Regulations 1996.
Date of text: 23 February 1996

Governance

The political, social, economic and administrative systems that govern water management and conservation; good practices; good governance; decentralization; water user’s associations
No legislation available

Infrastructure

Waterworks; water supply systems; dams; hydropower systems; irrigation systems
Sewage Disposal Regulations 1996.
Date of text: 23 February 1996
Drainage and Plumbing Regulations 1996.
Date of text: 23 February 1996
Regulation on the Protection and Conservation of Environment in the Tourism Industry.
Date of text: 23 February 2019

Water Resources Management and Water Rights

Ownership and control of water resources; abstraction and diversion of water; allocation and quotas; riparian rights; priority of rights; free water use
No legislation available

Water and Environment

Water in environmentally-sensitive areas; ‘water demand’ by ecosystems; protection forests; water conservation zones; environmental impact assessment
Drainage and Plumbing Regulations 1996.
Date of text: 23 February 1996

Water Quality and Pollution Control

Control of pollution and quality of freshwater bodies and groundwater; agricultural point and non-point sources of pollution; water quality standards
Sewage Disposal Regulations 1996.
Date of text: 23 February 1996
Drainage and Plumbing Regulations 1996.
Date of text: 23 February 1996

Groundwater

Freshwater resources located below the surface of the earth; aquifers; groundwater abstraction; well-sinking; boreholes; hydrogeology
No legislation available

Disaster Resilience

Water-related hazards; flood; drought; water shortage; adaptation to climate change; early warning system/emergency intervention system
No legislation available

Transboundary Waters

Transboundary effects; international basin institutions; international agreements; transboundary coordination; transboundary aquifers
No legislation available

Policies

National Food Safety Policy (2017-2026)
Date of text: 06 April 2017
National Awareness Strategy for Water and Sewerage.
Date of text: 23 February 2019
National Water and Sewerage Policy.
Date of text: 23 February 2019
Maldives Clean Environment Project Environmental and Social Assessment and Management Framework (ESAMF) and Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF)
Date of text: 01 November 2016
Climate Change Policy Framework (2015-2025)
Date of text: 01 August 2015
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2016-2025.
Date of text: 23 February 2019
Second National Environment Action Plan (NEAP II).
Date of text: 23 February 1999
National Environment Action Plan (NEAP).
Date of text: 23 February 1990

Main basins

No basins available