As from Saturday, 17 December 2022 in Mauritius, you are no longer authorised to use any water for domestic purpose or water supply for non-domestic purpose through hosepipe, sprinkler or any similar apparatus in any “wasteful manner” and “without reasonable excuse”.
This was decided by the Cabinet to prevent the waste of water – it also announced that the Central Water Authority (Dry Season) Regulations 2022 have been promulgated to this effect.
It will also be prohibited, without reasonable excuse, carry out sugarcane irrigation through abstraction of water resources.
As at 15 December 2022, the total storage was 38.47 million cubic meters, equivalent to 41.7% of the total capacity. The average groundwater levels for the period ending 15 December 2022, show a declining trend and are presently below average. Below normal rainfall is expected for December 2022.
If the island does not get enough rain, Mauritian authorities will start further controlling the distribution of water, particularly to ‘large consumers’, according Public Utilities Minister Joe Lesjongard.
The latter said that the country is facing a “severe drought” and an emergency plan put together by the Central Water Authority has been activated.
Meanwhile, the Development Bank of Mauritius (DBM) has reportedly registered an increase in applications for the Water Tank and Pump Grant Scheme. This scheme allows households with an income of up to Rs 50,000 to receive a grant for the purchase of a water tank (400 litres to 1,000 litres) and a domestic water pump.
Since the Water Tank and Pump Grant Scheme came into effect in February 2022, the DBM has received 35,815 applications and 20,700 vouchers, worth a total of Rs 165 million have been given out.
Sources: Cabinet Papers- Mauritius, Le Mauricien, Defi Media
