Mauritius Water Crisis: 15 to 20 New Boreholes to Be Requisitioned
Minister Patrick Assirvaden is planning to requisition between 15 and 20 additional boreholes across Mauritius to ease the ongoing water supply crisis.
Mauritius is facing a serious water supply crisis, and the government is now considering a significant expansion of groundwater extraction to address it. Minister Patrick Assirvaden, who oversees water utilities, has announced plans to requisition between 15 and 20 additional boreholes at various locations across the island.
The move signals growing urgency around water availability in Mauritius, where residents in many areas have already been experiencing intermittent or restricted water supply. Boreholes tap into underground aquifers and can provide an alternative or supplementary source of water when surface reservoirs and treatment capacity fall short.
Requisitioning boreholes means the government would compel private or commercial borehole owners to make their water extraction infrastructure available to the national supply network, typically under a formal legal process. This is distinct from drilling entirely new boreholes, and allows authorities to bring additional capacity online more quickly.
Mauritius relies on the Central Water Authority, known as the CWA, to manage the distribution of drinking water across the island. The CWA draws on a combination of surface water from reservoirs such as La Nicoliere, Mare aux Vacoas and Midlands Dam, as well as groundwater sources. When reservoir levels drop, usually during dry seasons or periods of below-average rainfall, groundwater becomes increasingly critical to maintaining supply.
The current crisis has been attributed to a combination of factors including low rainfall, ageing infrastructure prone to leakage, and rising demand from households and businesses. Certain regions, particularly in the north and west of the island, have experienced the most severe disruptions.
What this means: If the requisition of 15 to 20 additional boreholes goes ahead, it could provide meaningful short-term relief to households suffering from water cuts. However, experts and civil society groups have long argued that lasting solutions require infrastructure investment, leak reduction and better demand management. Requisitioned boreholes offer a faster response than constructing new infrastructure, but groundwater extraction also carries environmental risks if not carefully managed, including the potential depletion of aquifers and saltwater intrusion in coastal areas.
Minister Assirvaden has not yet specified a timeline for the requisitions or confirmed which regions would be prioritised. Further details are expected as the government formalises its response plan.
Source: Le Defi Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mauritius experiencing a water crisis?β
The water crisis in Mauritius is driven by a combination of low rainfall reducing reservoir levels, ageing distribution infrastructure with significant water loss through leaks, and growing demand. The Central Water Authority (CWA) manages supply from major reservoirs including La Nicoliere, Mare aux Vacoas and Midlands Dam, all of which are affected during dry periods.
What does it mean to requisition a borehole in Mauritius?β
Requisitioning a borehole means the government legally compels a private or commercial owner to make their groundwater extraction infrastructure available to the national water network managed by the CWA. This allows the authorities to boost supply more quickly than drilling entirely new boreholes.
Which parts of Mauritius are most affected by water cuts?β
Residents in the north and west of Mauritius have typically faced the most severe water supply disruptions during shortage periods, though intermittent cuts have affected communities across the island.
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