Thieves Steal 820-Litre Water Tank from Vallée-des-Prêtres College

A secondary school in Vallée-des-Prêtres, a residential area in the north of Port Louis, was hit by an unusually brazen theft this week — with intruders making off with an 820-litre water storage tank from the school grounds. According to police, the theft took place sometime between Tuesday afternoon, 6 May, and Wednesday morning. The perpetrators entered the school's courtyard and removed the large tank without being detected. The school's management is still assessing the full financial value of the loss, and a police investigation has been opened. No arrests have been reported at this stage. **An audacious theft — and a telling one** Water tanks of this size are used to store backup water supplies and typically weigh a considerable amount even when empty, making the theft both logistically challenging and notably bold. The incident comes against the backdrop of a worsening water supply crisis in Mauritius, where ongoing shortages have made water storage equipment increasingly valuable — and, apparently, increasingly attractive to thieves. The Central Water Authority (CWA), the state body responsible for water distribution, has been under intense pressure as parts of the island face severe rationing. The government has recently expanded a grant scheme to help households acquire water tanks, further underlining how precious water storage capacity has become across the island. **What this means** For the school concerned, the theft disrupts its ability to store water independently — a particular problem if the area is subject to intermittent supply. Replacing an 820-litre tank represents a real cost to a public institution. More broadly, the theft reflects a concerning trend: as water scarcity bites harder, infrastructure linked to water storage is becoming a target. Schools, households and businesses that rely on backup tanks may need to consider additional security measures. Anyone with information about the theft is encouraged to contact the nearest police station. Source: ION News