MTCC refutes rumours that fountain water is contaminated

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has assured that the water in the newly-built water fountain at Republic Square, is clean.

This follows rumours especially on social media, that the water has a foul smell and is contaminated.

CEO of MTCC Abdul Razzaq Haleem said at a press conference today that special care was given to ensure that the water was of good quality.

“Some people have claimed that there is a bad smell in the area. This has also been investigated, and our conclusion is that the smell is not related to the fountain. Republic Square was completely renovated within a short period of time. New grass was planted, and we have noticed that the smell comes when water comes in contact with the grass,” Haleem said.

He added that the filtration system used in the fountain monitors water quality, pH level, and chlorine level; and MTCC, which built the fountain, will attend immediately if the system picks up any problems.

Mohamed Shaneez, managing director of Aqua Solutions, which supplied the filtration system, that similar systems are used in swimming pools in many local resorts.

He said that the water goes through constant filtration and is monitored three times daily.

Checks are conducted to ensure that the water quality is within required parameters before the fountain is switched on every day, said Shaneez.

The fountain, designed to allow children to play in the water, was opened ahead of the 50th Independence Day celebrations last week.