A crisis meeting was held at the Central Water Authority (CWA) in Mauritius on Thursday to assess the situation and determine measures to address water supply disruptions in affected regions. CWA Director-General Shiam Thannoo assured that the authority is prepared to intervene at the slightest problem reported. The CWA has already deployed water tankers to affected areas, with additional teams available for the evening.
The CWA has deployed 15 additional water tankers to reinforce its existing efforts to provide water to affected communities. The water supplied by these tankers is treated water sourced from La Marie, the Bagatelle treatment station, and the Candos reservoir. Thannoo emphasized that the water is potable and not river water. In the Vacoas region, private water tankers are also supporting the CWA's efforts.
Despite these efforts, some regions remain without water for several hours or even days. Thannoo explained that several factors contribute to this issue, including limited distribution hours and low pressure in the network. In some areas, water distribution occurs between 3 am and 8 am, with possible resumption in the evening. However, low pressure prevents water from reaching certain households, particularly when domestic reservoirs struggle to fill.
The CWA is working to address the issue, but the current water volume available is significantly lower than usual. The authority typically supplies 110,000 cubic meters of water, but currently, it is only able to distribute 56,000 cubic meters, which is almost 50% less. Thannoo stressed that the CWA is not responsible for cutting off water supply, but rather, multiple factors are at play.
The CWA is anticipating further difficulties in other sectors, having observed similar scenarios in the past. The authority is taking proactive measures to reinforce its presence in areas likely to be affected and to anticipate needs as the situation evolves. This includes deploying additional water tankers to regions such as St-Pierre and its surroundings, as well as Candos.
The CWA's efforts aim to mitigate the impact of water supply disruptions on communities. The authority is working to ensure that affected residents have access to clean drinking water. The deployment of additional water tankers is part of a broader strategy to address the challenges facing the water supply system.
The situation remains a challenge for the CWA and the communities affected by the water supply disruptions. The authority continues to work to resolve the issues and restore normal water supply to all regions. Residents are advised to report any problems to the CWA, which is committed to providing assistance.
Key points
- The CWA has deployed 15 additional water tankers to affected areas.
- The water supplied by the tankers is treated and sourced from La Marie, Bagatelle, and Candos.
- The CWA is anticipating further difficulties in other sectors and is taking proactive measures to address them.
