Plastic Drums for Water Storage in Mauritius: What to Know

Water shortages and a lack of domestic storage tanks have pushed some households in Mauritius to look for alternatives. One increasingly common solution is the large blue plastic drum, the kind typically used in food and beverage manufacturing. But while these containers can be a practical stopgap, experts and sellers alike warn that using the wrong type of drum to store drinking water can pose serious health risks.

In Plaine-des-Papayes, a village in the north of Mauritius, at least one local trader has been selling these drums, sourced from a food processing factory. The seller takes a cautious approach: checking that each container carries a "Food Grade" marking before putting it on sale, and asking customers directly what they plan to use it for. This kind of due diligence is not universal, however, and many buyers may not know what to look for.

So what does "Food Grade" actually mean? A food-grade plastic container is one that has been manufactured from materials certified as safe for contact with food or drinking water. In practice, this usually means the plastic does not contain harmful chemicals such as BPA (bisphenol A) or other industrial additives that can leach into liquids over time. These containers are typically marked with a recycling symbol and a resin code, most commonly the number 2 (HDPE, high-density polyethylene) or number 5 (polypropylene), along with a food-safe certification or the words "Food Grade" stamped on the base or side.

The problem arises when drums that previously held non-food industrial products, such as chemicals, lubricants or cleaning agents, are cleaned and resold without clear labelling. Even thorough washing may not remove all residues from a drum that was not designed for food contact. Storing drinking water in such a container can introduce contaminants into the water supply.

The blue colour of these drums is not in itself a safety indicator. Blue is simply a common colour used for liquid storage across many industries. What matters is the material composition and the original use of the container.

For households relying on these drums during dry periods or water rationing, a few basic checks are recommended. Always look for the "Food Grade" label or the relevant resin codes on the container. Ask the seller for the drum's history and what it previously held. If in doubt, do not use it for drinking water. And once in use, drums should be kept out of direct sunlight, as UV exposure degrades certain plastics and can encourage bacterial growth inside the container.

What this means: As Mauritius experiences increasingly dry weather patterns and periodic water supply disruptions, demand for home storage solutions is likely to grow. Consumers need clear guidance on what is safe to use, and retailers have a responsibility to verify the origin and safety certification of the drums they sell. The absence of a formal regulatory framework specifically governing the second-hand sale of food-grade containers in Mauritius means buyers currently rely largely on the honesty of individual traders.

Source: Le Defi Media