The Water Tank and Pump Grant Scheme, announced by Mauritian Energy and Public Services Minister Patrick Asirvaden on October 9, 2026, and implemented on October 12, 2026, is encountering substantial challenges. According to the Central Water Authority (CWA), 35,817 applications have been received to date. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to households for water tank and pump installations.
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 approximately 63% of eligible beneficiaries are still waiting for their vouchers. At the current rate of voucher issuance, it will take several months to distribute all necessary vouchers. The delay has resulted in long queues at Development Bank of Mauritius (DBM) branches.
On October 28, 2026, users at the Saint-Pierre branch reported significant delays due to a single employee managing the queue, prompting many applicants to redirect to the Curepipe agency and causing additional congestion. Beneficiaries who obtain their vouchers face further challenges, including a widespread shortage of equipment from authorized suppliers.
The shortage of equipment has forced some beneficiaries to incur additional costs, including up to Rs 5,000 for plumbing, connection, or delivery. Others have opted for more expensive, higher-capacity models due to the unavailability of basic models. Several citizens have expressed their concerns to ION News about the difficulties they are facing.
In response to inquiries, Duraco indicated that it will provide clarification through an official statement soon. ION News had previously requested clarification from the CWA regarding a communiqué issued on October 18, 2026, labeling a previous article as "fake news." To date, no response has been received from the CWA.
The CWA's Facebook page still features the accusatory publication. 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 was designed to support households with financial assistance for water tank and pump installations.
The scheme's challenges have raised concerns among beneficiaries and the general public. With a significant backlog of applications and equipment shortages, the Mauritian government and relevant authorities face the task of addressing these logistical issues to ensure the scheme's success. The situation remains a pressing concern for many households in Mauritius.
Key points
- 63% of eligible beneficiaries are waiting for vouchers.
- Long queues and equipment shortages are major challenges.
- Beneficiaries face additional costs due to scheme delays.
