Mauritius Treats 48 Million m³ of Wastewater But Reuses Almost None

Mauritius is treating nearly 48 million cubic metres of wastewater every year — but reusing almost none of it. As the island grapples with one of its worst water shortages in recent memory, experts and critics are pointing to this staggering waste as a missed opportunity that could help ease the crisis significantly. **A resource going to waste** Wastewater treatment in Mauritius is handled primarily through the country's sewerage network, managed by the Wastewater Management Authority (WMA). Once treated, the water reaches a standard that, in many countries, would qualify it for agricultural irrigation, industrial cooling, or even groundwater recharge. Instead, the vast majority of it is discharged into the ocean. The scale of the loss is striking. At 48 million cubic metres per year, the volume of treated wastewater is comparable to a significant share of the country's total water demand — making its near-total non-reuse a glaring gap in Mauritius's water management strategy. **Why does this matter now?** Mauritius is currently in the grip of a serious water crisis. Reservoir levels have fallen sharply, with the national average hovering around 35–36% of capacity. The Central Water Authority (CWA) — the body responsible for water supply across the island — has introduced rationing schedules affecting tens of thousands of households, particularly in areas like Phoenix, Curepipe, and parts of the south. The dry season typically runs from around May to November, meaning relief from rainfall is still weeks away. In the meantime, demand continues to outpace supply. **What other countries do differently** Water recycling — known formally as water reclamation or water reuse — is standard practice in water-stressed countries and territories. Singapore recycles treated wastewater into drinking-quality "NEWater." Israel reuses around 90% of its treated wastewater for agriculture. Even in the Indian Ocean region, Réunion Island has developed reclaimed water programmes for irrigation. Mauritius has the infrastructure to treat the water. What it currently lacks is the downstream infrastructure, regulation, and political will to put that treated water back to use. **What this means** For ordinary Mauritians living under rationing schedules — sometimes going without tap water for 12 to 16 hours a day — the revelation that tens of millions of cubic metres of usable water are being discharged into the sea is likely to fuel frustration. For policymakers, it represents a concrete, scalable solution that does not depend on rainfall or new reservoirs. Redirecting even a fraction of treated wastewater to agriculture, for example, could free up freshwater currently used for irrigation — reducing pressure on reservoirs almost immediately. The challenge is investment. Building distribution networks for reclaimed water, updating regulations, and ensuring water quality standards for different end uses all require funding and coordination between the WMA, CWA, and the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities. With climate projections suggesting that Mauritius will face increasingly erratic rainfall in coming decades, treated wastewater reuse is shifting from a long-term option to an urgent necessity. Source: Le Défi Media