The Central Water Authority (CWA) of Mauritius is considering a 50% increase in household water tariffs as it struggles with significant losses. According to Shiam Thannoo, head of the CWA, producing a cubic metre of drinkable water costs around Rs 24, while it is sold for only Rs 14. This has resulted in substantial losses for the authority, which has not seen a major revision in tariffs since 2012.
The CWA has already implemented a tariff revision for businesses, which took effect on September 1. However, household rates remain frozen for now. Thannoo emphasized that the utility needs to upgrade its network, which leaks away much of the water it produces. He argued that charging more for water would help address the revenue problem, but not the underlying plumbing issue.
The proposed tariff hike is part of a broader effort to address the challenges facing the CWA. The authority is responsible for treating, pumping, and distributing water across the island. With a significant gap between the cost of production and the selling price, the CWA is under pressure to find a solution.
Meanwhile, Mauritius has opened its first major adoption overhaul to public comment. Two draft laws, the Child Adoption Bill and an amendment to the Civil Code, are open for public comment until November 6. The proposed laws aim to provide clearer rules and better follow-up for adoption cases.
The Ombudsperson for Children, Aneeta Ghoorah, has expressed support for the proposed laws, emphasizing that adoption must serve the best interests of the child. The NGO Safire has also welcomed the move, highlighting the need to address poverty and support families under strain.
In other news, 253 rooftop solar systems set up under the Central Electricity Board (CEB) are currently idle, with 191 of them affected by failed inverters. The CEB has not provided clear guidance on who is responsible for reviving the systems, leaving households with significant losses.
The Mauritius Police Force has allocated Rs 53.5 million to equip frontline officers with new gear. The investment aims to enhance protection and response times, but it remains to be seen how effectively the funds will be utilized. Two detainees who escaped from a police station in Rivière-des-Anguilles have been recaptured, highlighting the need for improved security measures.
Key points
- The proposed 50% household water hike aims to address the significant losses incurred by the Central Water Authority.
- Mauritius has opened its first major adoption overhaul to public comment, aiming to provide clearer rules and better follow-up for adoption cases.
- 253 rooftop solar systems in Mauritius are currently idle due to failed inverters, resulting in significant losses for households.
