The Central Water Authority (CWA) of Mauritius convened an emergency board meeting on October 5, 2026, to address the country's growing water crisis. The meeting comes as the island nation's water reserves have reached critically low levels, prompting concerns over the ability to meet demand. According to CWA Director General Shiam Thannoo, the meeting aimed to assess the current state of water resources and identify areas of need.
A crisis meeting, chaired by Public Utilities Minister Patrick Assirvaden, was scheduled for October 6, 2026, to determine urgent measures to mitigate the pressure on the water network. The focus will be on evaluating the current state of resources and implementing emergency measures to ensure a steady supply until December. The CWA is working to manage the Mare-aux-Vacoas reservoir, which is a top priority, with a current water level of 36.6%.
The Mare-aux-Vacoas reservoir, a key source of water for the island, has seen its daily contribution to the network reduced from 110,000 to 75,000 cubic meters. To compensate, the CWA is exploring alternative sources, including Mare-Longue, which has a filling rate of 80.3%, and the Pétrin and Papayes rivers. Plans are underway to supply La Marie with approximately 15,000 cubic meters of water per day from Mare-Longue.
To address the crisis, the CWA plans to work with law enforcement to enforce water restrictions and prevent wastage. The police will be authorized to intervene in cases of non-compliance, in accordance with existing legislation. Additionally, the CWA has deployed contractors to several regions to identify and repair leaks, reducing losses on the network.
Water losses on the network have been a pressing concern, with Dev Gujjalu, a former CWA chief engineer and hydrology expert, estimating that 60% of water is lost. He argues that more significant measures should have been taken to limit this wastage, which has contributed to the current crisis. Gujjalu also notes that the North and East regions, while less dependent on Mare-aux-Vacoas, may still face pressure on the network if the deficit persists.
The CWA's efforts to manage the crisis include exploring new sources of water and implementing measures to reduce losses. According to Shiam Thannoo, the authority is working on several scenarios to mitigate the impact of the crisis and preserve resources until December. The situation remains a priority for the government, with Minister Patrick Assirvaden set to chair the crisis meeting.
As the water crisis deepens, residents and businesses are urged to exercise caution and adhere to restrictions. The CWA and law enforcement will work together to ensure compliance and prevent wastage. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of the measures implemented to address the crisis and ensure a stable water supply for the island nation.
Key points
- The Central Water Authority of Mauritius convened an emergency meeting to address critically low water reserves.
- The crisis meeting, chaired by Public Utilities Minister Patrick Assirvaden, aimed to determine urgent measures to mitigate pressure on the water network.
- Water losses on the network are estimated to be around 60%, with efforts underway to reduce wastage and implement new sources of water.
