Mauritius Water Crisis: CWA Requisitions Private Boreholes to Boost Supply

Mauritius is facing a significant water shortage, and the Central Water Authority (CWA) — the government body responsible for producing and distributing drinking water across the island — has taken the unusual step of requisitioning privately-owned boreholes to help shore up supply. The move means the CWA can legally compel private landowners and businesses who operate their own groundwater extraction points to connect those sources into the public distribution network, effectively commandeering them in the national interest during the supply crisis. **Why is there a water shortage?** Mauritius depends heavily on a combination of surface water from reservoirs and groundwater extracted through boreholes. Prolonged dry spells, rising demand, and ageing infrastructure have periodically pushed the island's water system to breaking point. When reservoir levels fall and rainfall is insufficient to replenish them, the CWA must find alternative sources quickly — and private boreholes represent a ready, if untapped, reserve. **What is a borehole and who owns them?** Boreholes are deep wells drilled into the earth to reach underground water tables. In Mauritius, they are used by sugar estates, hotels, industrial sites, and some private residences to access groundwater independently of the CWA network. Many of these installations are licensed and regularly maintained, making them viable short-term supplements to the public supply. **What does requisitioning mean in practice?** Under Mauritian law, authorities can requisition private assets during emergencies or periods of critical public need. For borehole owners, this means the CWA gains temporary operational control over their extraction points. The water drawn is then fed into the wider distribution network to reduce pressure on depleted reservoirs and ensure continuity of supply for households and businesses. The measure is intended to be temporary, lasting only as long as the shortage persists. **Who is affected?** The requisition primarily targets larger private operators — estates, hotels, and industrial facilities — rather than individual homeowners. However, ordinary Mauritians are the ultimate beneficiaries: the additional water injected into the network is meant to reduce or eliminate the rotational water cuts that many residents have been enduring. **What this means** This is a rare but telling sign of how serious the current water situation has become. The CWA's decision to invoke requisition powers signals that conventional supply measures are not sufficient on their own. For residents already dealing with scheduled cuts and low pressure, the move could bring some relief — though the underlying structural issues around water infrastructure and climate variability will require longer-term investment to resolve. The water crisis has also prompted the government to roll out a water tank grant scheme to help households store water during cut periods, with high demand already reported at CWA offices. Source: Le Défi Media