The Mauritius government has announced a series of measures to address the ongoing water crisis in the region of Plaines-Wilhems. According to the Cabinet's decisions, the measures aim to strengthen the water supply in the area. The announcement comes as the water reservoirs in the region face a significant decline in water levels. As of October 8, 2026, the main reservoirs had a filling rate of 57.1%, down from 87.4% in 2025.
The water level in the Mare-aux-Vacoas reservoir stood at 35.7% as of October 8, 2026. To address the crisis, nine new boreholes will be drilled to provide an additional 30,000 cubic meters of water to the area served by the Mare-aux-Vacoas reservoir by the end of October. This move is expected to alleviate the pressure on the existing water supply.
In addition to the new boreholes, the government will also extract around 4,000 cubic meters of water from the Pétrin and Papayes rivers to supply the La Marie treatment plant. Furthermore, the capacity of the pipeline connecting the Mare-Longue reservoir to the La Marie treatment plant will be doubled from 15,000 to 30,000 cubic meters per day.
The government has also planned to deploy 15 containerized pressure filters by the end of November to help augment the water supply. Private providers will be engaged to supply water tankers, while the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Services will assist in delivering water to affected areas. An team of 10 liaison officers will be recruited to coordinate the deployment of water tankers in the concerned regions.
To ensure a steady water supply, the government will install reservoirs with a capacity of around 30,000 liters in various sub-localities. The Cabinet has also approved the appointment of Dr. P.M.K. Soonarane as the Director General of Public Services on a contractual basis. His role will involve overseeing the implementation of immediate measures and developing medium- and long-term solutions for the water sector.
The Ministry of Finance will provide the necessary financial support to mobilize resources to address the water crisis. The government's efforts aim to mitigate the impact of the crisis on the affected communities. The water crisis in Plaines-Wilhems has been a pressing concern, with the region facing significant challenges in accessing clean water.
The implementation of these measures is expected to help alleviate the water shortage in the region. The government's response to the crisis involves a multi-faceted approach, including both short-term and long-term solutions. The effectiveness of these measures will be closely monitored, and further actions will be taken as necessary to address the water crisis in Mauritius.
Key points
- Nine new boreholes to provide 30,000 cubic meters of water to the Mare-aux-Vacoas area by end-October
- Water extraction from Pétrin and Papayes rivers to support La Marie treatment plant
- Dr. P.M.K. Soonarane appointed Director General of Public Services to oversee water sector solutions
