The Male' City Council has resolved to test the water at Rasfannu Artificial Beach for contamination.

A study from 2024 indicated that the waters at Rasfannu were consistently contaminated, leading health authorities to voice worries about individuals continuing to swim there.

In response to Sun's inquiry, Male' City Mayor Adam Azim stated that the council would decide after assessing the water.

Azim stated that he had directed officials to carry out tests to assess the degree of contamination. He added that the council will provide more feedback once the results arrive.

The mayor condemned the prior redevelopment of Rasfannu by the Construction Ministry, stating that the job was executed carelessly.

The Rasfannu Artificial Beach site is close to finishing its major renovation and maintenance work, set to reopen on June 11, 2026. (X Photo/Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development)

“Just to mention that the ministry has finished it, accomplished for the name.” Once it was completed, the mud and rubble had not yet been cleared or cleaned properly. You can observe what it is like. “We just finished cleaning up the oil spill there as well,” said Mayor Azim.

Health specialists have consistently expressed worries about individuals swimming in the vicinity, even though research indicates ongoing pollution caused by sewage.

Two years ago, the Marine Biology Department at the Maldives National University (MNU) carried out research indicating that the water quality at Rasfannu was deteriorating due to limited water flow and its closeness to the city’s sewage discharge pipes.

Nonetheless, specialists observe that a large number of individuals persist in swimming at Rasfannu.