Mauritius Water Projects Running Up to 22 Years Behind Schedule
A National Audit Office report reveals major water infrastructure projects are decades overdue, deepening Mauritius's chronic water supply crisis.
By MauritiusNews Editorialabout 4 hours ago👁 0 views
Mauritius is facing a serious water infrastructure crisis — and a damning government audit has revealed just how deep the problem runs. According to a December 2025 report by the National Audit Office (NAO), the independent body that scrutinises public spending in Mauritius, several key water projects are running years — and in some cases, decades — behind their original deadlines.
The NAO's report on sustainable water resource management examines progress against the Master Plan for Development of Water Resources, a national blueprint drawn up in 2012 to guide how Mauritius would expand and manage its water supply over the following decades. The findings are stark.
**Projects That Were Due Years Ago — Still Not Built**
The expansion and modernisation of the La Ferme reservoir, in the south of the island, was originally scheduled for completion in 2015. It is now not expected to be ready until 2028 — a 13-year delay.
The Rivière-des-Anguilles dam, which was supposed to come online in 2016, has been pushed back to the end of 2029. The La Nicolière project, initially planned for 2018, is now targeted for 2032 — 14 years late.
The delays are even more alarming for two other dams. The Constance dam, originally due in 2018, is now projected for completion in 2040 — a staggering 22-year overrun. The Calebasses dam, which was supposed to be operational this year (2025), is not expected until 2045.
**Why Are the Projects So Far Behind?**
The NAO highlights several causes. At La Ferme, problems with relocating residents and disputes over land occupation have held up construction. Across multiple projects, delays in securing financing have been a persistent obstacle. The report also points to limited human resources — the agencies responsible simply do not have enough staff to manage several large infrastructure projects simultaneously.
**What This Means for Mauritians**
These are not abstract planning failures. Mauritius has been grappling with a worsening water supply crisis, with many households — particularly in rural and peri-urban areas — experiencing severe rationing and dry taps for extended periods. The Central Water Authority (CWA), which manages water distribution across the island, has struggled to meet demand, especially during dry seasons.
The projects flagged in the NAO report were designed specifically to increase the island's water storage and supply capacity. Every year of delay means continued pressure on existing reservoirs, continued rationing, and continued reliance on water tankers as a stopgap.
With the Constance dam now 22 years behind schedule and Calebasses pushed to 2045, an entire generation of Mauritians may grow up without the infrastructure that was promised to secure the country's water future.
The NAO report does not assign individual blame, but its findings raise urgent questions about project management, budget allocation, and political will — particularly as climate pressures make reliable water access ever more critical for the island nation.
Source: ION News
Which water infrastructure projects in Mauritius are most delayed?−
According to the December 2025 National Audit Office report, the Constance dam is the most delayed — originally due in 2018, it is now projected for 2040, a 22-year overrun. The Calebasses dam, due in 2025, has been pushed to 2045. The La Ferme reservoir expansion (due 2015, now 2028), the Rivière-des-Anguilles dam (due 2016, now 2029), and the La Nicolière project (due 2018, now 2032) are also significantly behind schedule.
Why is Mauritius experiencing a water crisis?−
Mauritius's water crisis is driven by a combination of ageing infrastructure, rising demand, climate variability, and — as the NAO's 2025 report confirms — major delays in building new reservoirs and dams that were planned as far back as 2012. The Central Water Authority (CWA) has been forced to implement rationing and use private water tankers as short-term solutions while long-term infrastructure projects remain unfinished.
What is the National Audit Office (NAO) in Mauritius?−
The National Audit Office (NAO) is an independent government body in Mauritius responsible for auditing the use of public funds. It reports to the National Assembly and publishes reports examining whether public projects and expenditure represent value for money and are managed effectively. Its December 2025 report on water resource management is one such performance audit.
