The Mauritian government has launched the Water Tank Grant Scheme, a new initiative aimed at helping households cope with water shortages and interruptions in water supply. The scheme, which was announced by Minister of Energy and Public Services Patrick Assirvaden last week, provides a subsidy of Rs 15,000 for the acquisition of two water tanks and a pump. The program was launched on October 12, and hundreds of residents have flocked to the offices of the Central Water Authority (CWA) to apply for the grant.
The Water Tank Grant Scheme is designed to help households store water for use during periods of drought or water shortages. The subsidy will cover the cost of two water tanks with capacities of 1,000 and 500 liters, as well as a pump. Many residents have welcomed the scheme, saying it will help them cope with the rising cost of living and frequent water shortages. "For a household, investing in a pump and two tanks is a significant expense," said Judex, a resident of Mare-Tabac who applied for the grant.
The launch of the scheme on October 12 saw a large turnout of residents at CWA offices across the island. The high demand led to long queues and congestion, prompting the CWA to adapt its reception arrangements. The police were also present to maintain order and prevent any disruptions. According to Sunil Gopal, CWA's communication officer, the authority has been working to accommodate the large number of applicants and ensure that the application process runs smoothly.
Residents who have applied for the grant say it will help them cope with the challenges of water shortages. Sawadyanee, a resident of Saint-Paul, has been struggling to do her laundry, dishes, and cook meals due to the lack of water. "It's not easy for me. I haven't been able to do my laundry or dishes, and it's hard to cook meals. I hope this grant will help me store water and make life easier," she said.
The grant scheme has also been welcomed by retirees, who say it will help them cope with the rising cost of living. Dev, a retired resident of Saint-Paul, said the subsidy will help him and other households invest in water tanks and pumps. "It's an excellent measure. With the high cost of living, this grant will help households like mine. I wouldn't have been able to afford a water tank and pump without this subsidy," he said.
To facilitate the application process, the CWA has set up a system for processing and validating applications. Applicants will have to wait between three to five days for their applications to be processed before they can collect their vouchers from the Development Bank of Mauritius (DBM). The CWA is also working on an online platform that will allow citizens to apply for the grant from the comfort of their own homes.
The launch of the Water Tank Grant Scheme comes amid reports of irregularities in water distribution in some areas. In Eau-Coulée, residents experienced difficulties with the alternate water distribution system, which was implemented due to new restrictions announced by Minister Assirvaden on October 9. The CWA has since deployed water tankers to provide emergency supplies to affected households and has promised to take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- The Mauritian government has launched a Water Tank Grant Scheme to provide Rs 15,000 subsidy for water tanks and pumps to help households cope with water shortages.
- Hundreds of residents have flocked to CWA offices to apply for the grant, which will cover the cost of two water tanks and a pump.
- An online platform is being developed to facilitate the application process and reduce congestion at CWA offices.
