Curepipe Residents Furious Over Unrelenting Water Cuts

Residents in and around Curepipe, one of Mauritius's largest inland towns, are at breaking point over persistent water shortages — with the Central Water Authority (CWA) now operating a rationed supply schedule that delivers water only once every two days in several parts of the island. The CWA (Central Water Authority) is the state body responsible for water production and distribution across Mauritius. Its rationed schedule, known as "programmed distribution," is typically triggered when reservoir levels fall critically low — and right now, the Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, the island's largest and most important freshwater source located in the Plaines Wilhems district, is reportedly losing water at an alarming rate. **Frustration Boils Over Near Trou-aux-Cerfs** For C.R., a 50-year-old mother living near Trou-aux-Cerfs — the dormant volcanic crater at the heart of Curepipe — the past few days have been particularly difficult. She says the situation worsened sharply over a three-day stretch, with no water arriving on Saturday at all. Simple household tasks like doing laundry have become impossible to plan. "You get home at 5 or 6 in the evening after a long day, the roads are congested, and then you still have to wait and see if water will come before you can wash your clothes," she explained. To make matters worse, when supply does arrive — often at low pressure — many residents are forced to run electric water pumps continuously to fill the rooftop storage tanks common in Mauritian homes. The result is a sharp spike in monthly electricity bills, adding financial strain on top of the daily inconvenience. "We have to wait every two days to fill the tank on the roof. When there's no pressure, they tell you to use a pump — and then your electricity bill shoots up like it's a weekly bill," C.R. said. F.M.M., a 38-year-old Curepipe resident, echoed similar frustrations, describing a situation that is disrupting work routines and family life across the neighbourhood. **What This Means** The water crisis affecting Curepipe is not an isolated incident — it reflects a broader pressure on Mauritius's water infrastructure, particularly during drier periods when reservoirs like Mare aux Vacoas struggle to maintain adequate levels. For households, the every-other-day schedule means: - **Planning all water-heavy tasks** (cooking, washing, bathing) around unpredictable supply windows - **Increased electricity costs** from running pumps to compensate for low pressure - **No guarantee** that water will actually arrive during the scheduled window The CWA has not, based on available reporting, issued a detailed public explanation of how long the rationing is expected to continue or what steps are being taken to address reservoir losses at Mare aux Vacoas. For expats, tourists staying in the region, or those considering settling in Curepipe, this is a practical concern worth monitoring — particularly during the dry season months. Source: ION News