The responsibilities of URA under Section 04 of Utility Regulatory Authority Act (Law No.
26/2020) are as follows:
To encourage and promote the sustainable development of the Utility service sector.
2. Implementation of rules and regulations governing the provision and use of utility services.
3. Establish, promote and develop a stable competitive environment in the provision of utility services.
4. Identify and prevent anti-competitive and sustainable business practices in the provision of utility services.
5. Enforcement of special laws and regulations related to utility services and ensuring compliance with such laws and regulations by service providers.
6. Issuance of licenses to utility service providers and ensuring compliance with the license issued by the service providers and taking necessary action.
7. Approval of service prices, price control and other pricing matters in accordance with special laws and regulations related to utility services.
8. Attempt to find solutions to the challenges faced by service providers in providing utility services and to provide technical advice and assistance to them.
9. To examine and take necessary steps to resolve issues related to agreements between individuals regarding utility services.
10. To investigate and take action on complaints and problems encountered by users or requesters of utility services.
11. Inspection of premises and facilities used for the provision of utility services and authorization of the use of such premises and facilities.
12. Establish standards, guidelines and relevant general regulations for the provision of public utility services in accordance with special laws relating to utility services.
13. Encourage and enforce appropriate measures to mitigate climate change and protect the environment in the establishment of facilities for the provision of utility services.
14. To create public awareness about matters related to utility services.
15. Implementation of government policies related to utility services.
16. Enforcing waste reduction and improving quality and efficiency in the provision of utility services.
17. Ensure that renewable energy is used to the maximum extent possible in the establishment and operation of utility services established after this Act is in effect.
18. Compilation and publication of statistics related to utility services.
19. Permitting professional/technical workers in the fields of utility services.
20. To perform all such duties as stipulated by the Authority under this Act or any other special Act relating to Utility Services and to organize such other matters relating to the provision of Utility Services in accordance with this Act and the Special Acts relating to Utility Services.
The responsibilities of the Utility Regulatory Authority under Section I l of Act No. 2020/8 (Water and Sewerage Act) are as follows:
21. providing technical assistance to the Ministry in making regulations containing rules and standards to be followed for the implementation of this Act.
22. Issuing licenses to water producers and sewerage service providers in the Maldives, registration of information about such establishments and publication of relevant information.
23. Registration of fresh water production plants installed by persons engaged in public uses, tourism, agriculture and various industrial activities and registering and maintaining information about such plants.
24. Ensuring water and sanitation services are provided to every individual living in established rural areas, without regard to race, national origin, color, age, sex, physical or mental disability, political or other opinion, or financial means, or ensure that there is no discrimination on the basis of family belonging, or place of birth, or anything else.
25. Examining whether the water and sewerage systems are designed in accordance with the standards prescribed in the regulations formulated by the Ministry under this Act for the design of such systems and to approve the designs.
26. Assessing the quality of water supply and water and sewerage system designers, to issue licenses to engineers and designers of water and sewerage systems and to compile and make public register of such persons.
27. Creating public awareness about the laws, rules and regulations implemented by the
Authority;
28. Ensuring water and sewerage services are charged in accordance with the relevant regulations.
29. Taking necessary action against those who violate this Act and the regulations made under this Act.
30. Ensuring water and sewerage services are provided in accordance with prescribed standards.
31. Ensuring the most appropriate water and sewerage systems are established in the inhabited island of Maldives.
32. Determining the standards required for equipment used to provide water and sewerage services in consultation with relevant institutions.
33. Determination of standards for water produced for commercial and public use in consultation with relevant institutions.
34. Ensuring the quality of water supplied for public use in collaboration with local councils and the service provider.
35. Collecting information and statistics relating to water and sewerage services and to provide such information to the Ministry when required.
36. Ensuring the service provider complies with applicable standards, including water pressure, water quality, wastewater treatment standards, water flow rates, service billing procedures, water meter related matters, and service delivery requirements to ensure the safety of the water and sewer service.
37. Determining the standards required for water discharged from sewerage and fresh water plants in consultation with relevant institutions.
38. Collection of information required for water and sanitation studies and encourage the public to conduct such studies and disclose this information.
39. Determining the standards required to reduce water wastage in water supply and water users, machinery and equipment in consultation with relevant institutions.