Mare-aux-Vacoas Reservoir Falls to 33% as Mauritius Faces Water Crisis
Mauritius's main reservoir is less than half as full as it was a year ago, forcing the government to introduce a water rationing schedule.
Stark images from Mare-aux-Vacoas, Mauritius's largest and most important reservoir, show vast stretches of dry, cracked earth exposed along the water's edge, a visible sign of a deepening water shortage gripping the island.
According to the Water Resources Commission, the statutory body responsible for managing Mauritius's water resources, the reservoir stood at just 33.1 percent capacity on 11 November 2026. At the same point in 2025, the fill level was 74.3 percent, meaning the reservoir has lost more than half its relative volume in a single year.
Mare-aux-Vacoas sits in the central plateau of Mauritius and is the cornerstone of the island's drinking water supply, feeding a large portion of the population through the Central Water Authority network. When its levels drop sharply, the consequences ripple across households, businesses and agriculture island-wide.
In response to the crisis, the government has introduced a rationing schedule, restricting the hours during which piped water is available to homes and businesses in affected areas. Such schedules have been used in previous dry periods in Mauritius, but the current situation is notably more severe given how early in the season the reservoir has fallen this low.
Mauritius typically relies on rainfall concentrated in the summer months, roughly November to April, to replenish its reservoirs. A below-average start to the rainy season, combined with higher demand, is widely seen as the driver of the current shortfall. Climate variability has made such extremes more frequent in recent years, raising longer-term concerns about water security on the island.
What this means for residents: households in areas covered by rationing schedules will have water available only during designated hours, which can vary by district. Residents are advised to store water during supply windows and reduce non-essential use. Businesses that depend on a continuous water supply, such as hotels, restaurants and manufacturers, may face operational disruptions and additional costs if they need to source water by other means. The situation also puts pressure on agricultural producers who rely on irrigation during drier months.
Authorities have not yet indicated whether emergency measures beyond the rationing schedule, such as water trucking to severely affected areas or accelerated infrastructure investment, are being planned. The Water Resources Commission is expected to continue publishing regular fill-level updates as the situation evolves.
Source: Le Defi Media
Frequently Asked Questions
How full is the Mare-aux-Vacoas reservoir in Mauritius right now?β
As of 11 November 2026, the Mare-aux-Vacoas reservoir was at 33.1 percent capacity, according to the Water Resources Commission. This compares to 74.3 percent at the same date in 2025, representing a dramatic year-on-year decline.
Why is Mauritius introducing water rationing?β
The government has introduced a water rationing schedule because reservoir levels, particularly at Mare-aux-Vacoas, have fallen to critically low levels. Rationing limits the hours during which piped water is available in affected areas, managed through the Central Water Authority network.
Where is Mare-aux-Vacoas and why does it matter?β
Mare-aux-Vacoas is located on the central plateau of Mauritius and is the island's largest reservoir. It is the primary source of drinking water for a significant portion of the Mauritian population, making its water level a critical indicator of national water security.
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