Mauritius Reservoir Levels Drop to 62% as Dry Season Bites

Mauritius is facing a significant water shortage heading into the final weeks of September 2026, with reservoir levels well below where they stood a year ago — raising fresh concerns about supply reliability for thousands of households. **The numbers at a glance** According to data from the Water Resources Commission (WRC) recorded on 18 September 2026, the island's seven main reservoirs hold a combined 57.52 million cubic metres of water — equivalent to 62.4% of their total capacity of 92.2 million cubic metres. At the same point in 2025, total storage stood at 85.93 million cubic metres, or 93.2% of capacity. That means Mauritius has roughly 28 million cubic metres less water in reserve than it did twelve months ago — a drop of more than 30 percentage points. **Which reservoirs are worst affected?** Mare aux Vacoas is the most concerning case. As the island's largest reservoir — with a capacity of 25.89 million cubic metres — it supplies water to densely populated areas including the Hautes Plaines-Wilhems plateau (Curepipe, Quatre Bornes, Vacoas-Phoenix, Rose Hill) and the Moka district. As of 18 September, it was only 39.9% full, compared to 93.2% at the same date last year. La Nicolière reservoir stood at 45.2% and La Ferme at 44.9%, both well below comfortable levels. Not all reservoirs are struggling equally. Midlands Dam reached 85.2%, Mare Longue 83.8%, and Piton du Milieu 83.6% — suggesting the southern and central-eastern parts of the island have fared better during the dry season. **Regions facing supply disruptions** The pressure on reserves is already translating into real-world disruption. The Central Water Authority (CWA) — the state body responsible for water distribution across Mauritius — had already flagged supply difficulties for several parts of the island as far back as July 2026, with some areas experiencing rationing or reduced-pressure supply. The CWA manages water distribution from these reservoirs through a network of treatment plants and pipes. When reservoir levels fall significantly, the authority is forced to implement rotation schedules, meaning some neighbourhoods receive running water only on certain days or at certain hours. **What this means** For residents in the Plaines-Wilhems and Moka areas — some of the most populated parts of Mauritius — the low level at Mare aux Vacoas is particularly worrying. These districts rely heavily on that single reservoir. If levels continue to drop before the wet season arrives (typically from November onwards), water rationing could intensify. The situation also highlights the island's structural vulnerability to rainfall variability. Mauritius has no major rivers capable of supplementing reservoir storage, meaning the country is heavily dependent on cyclone-season rains to replenish reserves each year. A drier-than-average dry season, like the one seen in 2026, can rapidly erode months of accumulated supply. Authorities have not yet announced emergency measures beyond previously declared restrictions, but the WRC data will be closely watched in the weeks ahead. Source: ION News