The Central Water Authority (CWA) in Mauritius has opened registration for its expanded Water Tank and Water Pump Grant Scheme, with long queues forming outside the CWA headquarters in Saint-Paul, Phoenix. The scheme, offered through the Development Bank of Mauritius (DBM), provides a grant of Rs 15,000 to purchase two water tanks and a water pump. This initiative aims to help households store water during supply interruptions.
The Water Tank and Water Pump Grant Scheme is now available to all households without existing water tanks, allowing families to store water for emergencies. The grant covers two tanks with capacities of 1,000 litres and 500 litres, along with a water pump. To manage demand, registration is staggered, with applicants divided alphabetically by surname initials. This system allows for a more organized and efficient registration process.
Registration for the scheme takes place daily from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the CWA headquarters in Saint-Paul and regional offices across the country. Applicants must present their National Identity Card and a recent CWA utility bill to be eligible. The CWA has introduced this measure to help households cope with frequent water supply interruptions, which have caused significant inconvenience to residents.
The rollout of the scheme coincides with growing public discontent over repeated water supply cuts in several regions, particularly in Phoenix and neighbouring areas. Residents have taken to the streets to protest, demanding urgent improvements and a regular water supply. The CWA's initiative aims to alleviate some of the pressure on households during these challenging times.
Widespread water supply difficulties have affected many parts of the country, with residents experiencing frequent interruptions. The CWA's grant scheme is one of the measures being implemented to address these issues. By providing households with the means to store water, the authority hopes to reduce the impact of supply shortages on daily life.
The registration process is being conducted in an orderly manner, with an alphabetical schedule in place to manage the large number of applicants. This schedule allows applicants with surname initials A to M to register from Monday to Wednesday, while those with initials N to Z can register on Thursday and Friday. The CWA has urged applicants to adhere to this schedule to avoid congestion.
The Water Tank and Water Pump Grant Scheme is part of a broader effort to improve water supply infrastructure in Mauritius. The CWA continues to work on addressing the root causes of water supply shortages, with the goal of providing a reliable and consistent water supply to all households. In the meantime, the grant scheme offers a practical solution for households to manage during these challenging times.
Key points
- The CWA's Water Tank and Water Pump Grant Scheme provides a grant of Rs 15,000 to help households purchase water storage tanks and a pump.
- Registration for the scheme is staggered, based on surname initials, to manage demand.
- The initiative aims to help households cope with frequent water supply interruptions across the country.
