CWA Calls on Private Tanker Owners to Help Fix Mauritius Water Crisis

Mauritius's water authority is turning to private operators for help as the island's water supply crisis deepens. The Central Water Authority (CWA) — the government body responsible for water production and distribution across Mauritius — published a formal notice on 6 October 2026 calling on private water tanker owners to register as supplementary distributors. The move signals that existing CWA infrastructure is struggling to meet demand, and that the authority needs immediate reinforcement from the private sector to keep water flowing to households and communities. **Who Can Apply and What Is Required?** To qualify, vehicle owners must meet a strict set of technical and legal conditions: - The tanker must have a **minimum capacity of 5 cubic metres** (5,000 litres) - It must be fitted with a **pump capable of delivering at least 1,000 litres per minute** - The vehicle must have **three water taps** for distribution - Owners must hold a **Category A carrier's licence** appropriate for water transport - A valid **Fitness certificate** (roadworthiness certificate) and **MVL insurance** (motor vehicle liability insurance) are mandatory Interested owners are asked to collect a registration form in person from **CWA headquarters in St Paul** and submit all required documents, including vehicle papers, the driver's licence, and insurance certificates. Services are expected to begin **immediately upon agreement** with the CWA, or on terms negotiated directly with the authority. **Important Note for Former Contractors** The CWA has made clear that previous service providers are not automatically renewed. All former tanker contractors must submit a **fresh application** — old files will not be carried over. This suggests the authority is conducting a new vetting process rather than simply extending existing contracts. **What This Means for Mauritius Residents** The water crisis has been building for months, driven by drought conditions, ageing pipe infrastructure, and uneven distribution across the island. Many areas have experienced severely reduced or intermittent supply, with some neighbourhoods going days without running water. By expanding the network of registered private tankers, the CWA aims to reach underserved areas more quickly than fixed pipe networks allow. For residents, this could mean more frequent tanker deliveries to their streets or neighbourhoods — though the frequency and coverage will depend on how many operators successfully register. For truck owners and transport businesses, this represents a commercial opportunity, provided they meet all the technical requirements and obtain the necessary documentation. Anyone with a suitable vehicle is encouraged to act quickly, as services are being mobilised with immediate effect. Source: ION News