Rs 3 Billion Loan Secured for Critical Water Infrastructure Development Works

A major desalination plant capable of producing 50,000 m³ of water per day is to be constructed in the North of Mauritius, forming the centrepiece of a national “Marshall Plan” to combat the island’s ongoing drought crisis.

Addressing a parliamentary question from MP Kaviraj Rookny, the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Patrick Assirvaden, confirmed that the facility is a key strategic response to the exceptional drought conditions that have gripped the nation since 2024.

The strategy, which received official approval in October 2025, aims to mobilise an additional 150,000 m³ of water in the short to medium term.

A feasibility study for the northern desalination project is currently underway following an expression of interest launched in September 2025, which attracted 14 applications.

The study is expected to last 12 months before a formal tender is issued. Minister Assirvaden noted that the plant is vital for meeting the rising demand for both domestic and agricultural water in the northern districts.

Addressing a Crumbling Network

The Minister highlighted that the government’s efforts are being hampered by a “venerable” and crumbling infrastructure.

Much of the existing pipe network is 50 to 60 years old, making pressure management a delicate balancing act.

High pressure risks bursting the dated pipes, while low pressure leaves residents in elevated areas without supply.

To rectify this, a loan of Rs2.9 billion has been secured to replace 114km of pipes across 13 regions.

The prequalification process began in January 2026, with the second phase slated for July.

However, the scale of the task means works are not expected to conclude until January 2030.

A Six-Pronged Strategy

Beyond desalination and pipe replacement, the national strategy rests on several other pillars:

• Groundwater Extraction: Over the next three years, twenty new wells will be drilled. Eight were already completed before November 2025, contributing 24,800 m³ daily at a cost of Rs263 million for pumps and boreholes.
• Surface Water Expansion: The government is deploying containerised pressure filters. Seven units are already operational, and a tender for a further 15 units—estimated at Rs310 million—is currently in progress.
• Hydroelectric Recovery: A Rs40 million project is underway to reclaim 4,000 m³ of water daily from the Sans-Souci dam.
• Wastewater Recycling: Discussions are held with the Magenta Canal Water Users Association to recycle 30,000 m³ of treated wastewater for sugar cane irrigation.
• Rainwater Management: Plans include the construction of mini-dams and the diversion of the Eau Bleue River into the Midlands Reservoir.

The government maintains that this multi-faceted approach is essential to secure the island’s water future in the face of increasingly unpredictable climate patterns.

Source: l’Express