Parliament has accepted the proposed amendments to the Water and Sewerage Act and referred the bill to the Committee on Environment and Climate Change for further review.

The decision was made on August 5, 2025, with 60 members voting in favour and nine voting against. Dhidhdhoo MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed, on behalf of the Government, submitted amendments to the Water and Sewerage Bill (8/2020), with the aim of addressing gaps in the current legislation and improving water and sanitation access, particularly in outer islands. The first reading was held on July 22, 2025 followed by a preliminary debate.

A key amendment proposes extending the five-year timeline originally outlined in the 2020 law, now requiring that all inhabited islands be equipped with water and sanitation facilities by 2027. The bill also recommends the removal of Sections 8(f), 8(n), and Section 15 of the existing Act.

Other proposed changes include the establishment of water testing laboratories and the introduction of regulatory standards for water quality and safety, covering both public and commercial supply. The Ministry of Tourism and Environment would be responsible for overseeing the operations of the regulatory body and ensuring compliance with national strategies.

According to the bill, new water and sewerage projects would require prior approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), based on environmental impact assessments conducted under the Environment Protection Act (Act No. 4/93).

Revisions to Section 54 introduce new penalties for violations. Individuals found misusing water or sanitation services could face fines of up to MVR 1 million, while those responsible for polluting groundwater could be fined up to MVR 100,000.