The Mauritian government is reevaluating its priorities to address the country's water distribution issues. According to the Central Water Authority (CWA), 1,500 kilometers of water pipes need to be renewed. Water and Public Services Minister Patrick Assirvaden emphasized the urgency of replacing aging pipes, citing a 62% loss rate on the CWA network, which he aims to reduce to 50-45%.
The water crisis affects not only households but also farmers and businesses, which must adapt to irregular supplies. To address this, the government is accelerating pipe replacement, with a focus on regions experiencing frequent outages. A program funded by a Rs 2.9 billion Indian grant will replace 114 kilometers of pipes in 13 regions over two to three years. However, this only covers a fraction of the national needs.
To determine which sections to prioritize, nine Singaporean experts began a field visit in the eastern region on November 2. Their mission includes helping the CWA identify pipes and meters to replace and exploring remote network monitoring possibilities. A preliminary report is expected about a month after the mission begins. The eastern region has a 73% unbilled water distribution rate.
The government's revised priorities may impact other public investment timelines, including the M4 highway project. The 30-kilometer road between Forbach and Bel-Air-Rivière-Sèche aims to improve north-east travel. An initial Rs 2 billion budget was allocated in the 2026-2027 budget, with Indian financial support. The project's environmental impact report was expected in November.
The effects of the government's new priority will be measured by the frequency of outages and service hours. The eastern region's diagnosis should help translate the government's commitment into a works program. For families struggling with irregular water supplies, a more reliable service will be a significant improvement. The CWA and government aim to provide a more consistent water supply.
Business Mauritius hosted the Water Stewardship Forum on November 4, where Minister Assirvaden stressed the importance of addressing water issues promptly. The crisis has prompted the government to reassess its priorities and allocate resources more effectively. The goal is to ensure a reliable water supply for households, farmers, and businesses.
The Indian-funded program is a step towards addressing the country's water challenges. With 1,500 kilometers of pipes needing replacement, the government faces a significant task. The involvement of international experts and financial support from India will help Mauritius improve its water distribution network and mitigate the effects of drought and water scarcity.
Key points
- The Mauritian government aims to reduce the 62% loss rate on the CWA network to 50-45%.
- A Rs 2.9 billion Indian grant will fund the replacement of 114 kilometers of pipes in 13 regions.
- The government's revised priorities may impact the timeline of other public investment projects, including the M4 highway.
