The water reserve situation in Mauritius remains a concern as the country approaches the end of September. According to the Water Resources Commission's data as of September 18, 2026, the seven main reservoirs have a combined filling level of 57.52 million cubic meters, representing 62.4% of their total capacity of 92.2 million cubic meters. This marks a significant decline from the same period last year when the overall level was 85.93 million cubic meters, or 93.2%.
The situation varies greatly from one reservoir to another. Mare aux Vacoas, the largest reservoir with a capacity of 25.89 million cubic meters, which supplies water to Hautes Plaines-Wilhems and Moka, was only 39.9% full, compared to 93.2% the previous year. La Nicolière and La Ferme reservoirs were at 45.2% and 44.9%, respectively. In contrast, Piton du Milieu, Mare Longue, and Midlands Dam were at 83.6%, 83.8%, and 85.2%, respectively.
The pressure on water resources is translating into supply difficulties in several parts of the island. The Central Water Authority (CWA) had already announced a concerning situation in July, followed by a reduction in water supply nationwide and new distribution schedules in August. The CWA also published regulations for the 2026 dry season. Certain areas, such as the North around Grand-Baie, Goodlands, and Fond-du-Sac, have faced supply issues for several years due to limited resources, increasing demand, and network constraints.
A 2025 parliamentary response highlighted that several regions experience supply regimes ranging from 8 to 16 hours a day, citing insufficient resources, limited reservoir capacity, pumping issues, and significant network losses. The South and Southwest regions remain structurally sensitive, with the government identifying them as areas with chronic supply constraints. The Rivière des Anguilles dam project is expected to enhance long-term resource availability, and pipeline renewal projects are also planned.
The data from September 18 shows that the issue is not solely related to the level of a single reservoir. Geographical rainfall distribution, storage capacity, demand, and network conditions all play a role in the actual availability of water. In Mauritius, potable water resources come roughly equally from groundwater and surface water, including reservoirs and river intakes.
The Environmental Observatory notes that droughts and increased evaporation due to higher temperatures pose risks to the country's water resources. With a national reservoir filling level of 62.4% as of September 18, down from 93.2% the previous year, managing this resource remains a significant challenge for the coming weeks, particularly in regions already experiencing intermittent supply.
The government and water authorities will need to closely monitor the situation and implement effective measures to mitigate the impact of the dry spell on water supplies. This may involve continued adjustments to supply schedules, conservation efforts, and investments in water infrastructure to enhance resilience and ensure sustainable management of this vital resource.
Key points
- Water reserves in Mauritius are at 62.4% capacity, down from 93.2% the previous year.
- Several regions, including the North and South, face chronic supply constraints due to limited resources and network issues.
- The government has identified projects, including the Rivière des Anguilles dam, to strengthen long-term water resource availability.
