The Mauritian government's Water Tank and Pump Grant Scheme, launched on October 12, 2026, aims to provide subsidies for water tanks to eligible households. However, the program faces significant logistical and administrative challenges. According to the Central Water Authority (CWA), 35,817 applications have been received to date. The scheme was announced by Minister of Energy and Public Services Patrick Asirvaden on October 9, 2026.
As of October 26, 2026, 7,789 households have been identified and validated as eligible, but only 2,862 vouchers have been issued. This means that around 63% of eligible beneficiaries are still waiting for their vouchers. At the current rate of issuance, it will take several months to distribute all the necessary vouchers. The delay has resulted in long queues at the Development Bank of Mauritius (DBM) branches, where applicants are facing significant delays.
The DBM branch in Saint-Pierre experienced particularly long delays, with users reporting that only one employee was available to manage the flow of applicants. Many applicants were forced to redirect to the Curepipe agency, causing additional congestion. Those who manage to obtain their vouchers face another challenge: a shortage of water tanks from authorized suppliers. Several citizens have complained to ION News about the difficulties they are facing.
Beneficiaries have reported having to assume additional costs, which can reach Rs 4,000 for plumbing work, connections, or delivery. Others are opting for more expensive options due to the lack of basic models available. The company Duraco has temporarily halted its operations related to the scheme and has promised to provide further clarification through an official statement.
ION News had previously reported that the CWA issued a statement on October 18, 2026, labeling a previous article as "fake news." However, the news outlet stands by its reporting and has yet to receive a response from the CWA. The CWA's statement remains online on their Facebook page. ION News reserves the right to take necessary measures while continuing to inform its over 410,000 subscribers with transparency and journalistic rigor.
The Water Tank and Pump Grant Scheme provides eligible households with a subsidy of Rs 15,000. However, the program's challenges have left many beneficiaries frustrated and uncertain about when they will receive their vouchers and access the necessary equipment. The situation highlights the need for improved logistical planning and communication from the authorities.
As the scheme continues to face challenges, the Mauritian government must address the issues to ensure that eligible households can access the subsidies and equipment they need. The government must work to resolve the logistical challenges and provide relief to the thousands of households waiting for their vouchers and water tanks.
Key points
- Only 2,862 vouchers have been issued to date, despite 7,789 eligible households being identified.
