Unveiling island water demand patterns : a multi-scale comparative study in the Maldives

Abstract

The geographical distribution of islands in the Maldives presents unique water management challenges. Despite similarities, supply water demand patterns vary across islands due to factors such as consumer behaviour, availability of alternative water sources (groundwater, rainwater), and urban density. Current design practices rely on standardised per capita values, potentially leading to over- or under-sized water systems. This research proposes a data-driven approach to establish water demand patterns that consider island characteristics.Operational data from 2023 for three Maldivian islands — HDh. Finey, M. Mulah, and Gn. Fuvahmulah —are analysed, representing contrasting land areas, populations, and urban environments.The analysis shows distinct peak demand times and minimum night flow patterns for the three islands.While the peak demand for the Gn. Fuvahmulah is higher (25 m3/hr) compared to HDh. Finey (10 m3/hr), the per capita water demand is much higher for HDh. Finey(24.45 L/capita/hr) compared to Gn. Fuvahmulah (2.72 L/capita/hr). By identifying the influence of different factors on water demand, the research aims to provide beneficial insights for policymakers, designers, and operators of water management facilities.This information can aid to optimise future water system design, minimise investment costs and enable long-term sustainability. The insights from this study can help to avoid over- or under-capacity developments, leading to lower operational costs and increasing water security for island communities.