The Maldivian government is working to establish a national standard for water piping work, the Environment Ministry has said.

Speaking at an event on Tuesday evening, Environment Minister Hussain Rasheed Hassan said that the state-utilities company FENAKA’s water supply is technically safe for drinking.

However, the minister added that while the water is safe for consumption, the current water piping infrastructure in most administrative zones contaminates it.

Minister Hussain said that a standard for water piping must exist, just as a standard for electricity wiring does.

Health Minister Abdulla Ameen also spoke at the event, and said that the government will work towards ensuring that FENAKA’s water quality is not a health hazard.

The Maldives Water and Sewerage Corporation (MWSC) supplies water to the capital city, and the Food and Drug Authority says they have tested the quality of their supply.

The authority said that the samples they tested show that the water supplied by MWSC, through a three-step filtration process, is of quality and safe for drinking.