We will soon be faced with water cuts. The level of water reserves is lower than in October last year and the Central Water Authority may be forced to start its programme of cuts very soon. However, this water crisis is quite regular in Mauritius every year. “Mauritius is already a water-stressed country,” revealed experts of the Water Resources Unit at a conference to explain the current situation last week. But worse is to come: Mauritius is expected to reach a scarcity level in 2020.

<B>Difficult to retain rainwater</B>

Even if the country has the same problems every year, it seems we have not been able to find the right solutions so far. In fact, the problem is partly the result of the topography of the island and the difficulty of retaining rainwater. It also results from leaks in water pipes that have never been repaired. But a first step could be a Rs 1.2 billion investment by the CWA to detect them. 

However, the problem could worsen &#8211; leading to scarcity in 2020 &#8211; with  pollution threats to the water table the possible reduction of rains with global warming. And the local situation may worsen with the tourist development planned for the coming years. New hotels as well as the Integrated Resort Schemes are some of the projects that will create a large demand for water in the future &#8211; not to mention the setting-up of new factories and new residential areas throughout the island. 

Although some decisions have already been taken by the authorities to avoid a major crisis &#8211; the project of building dams such as Bagatelle &#8211; the Water Resources Unit knows it will have to conduct a certain number of studies to assess the situation and make recommendations on decisions to be taken within the next thirty years approximately. 2040 is their target for the submission of the reports.

As the minister of Public Utilities, Abu Kasenally, recalled the importance water has for the government &#8211; &#8220;the problem of water is as much a sanitary problem as a political one&#8221; &#8211; we can hope that the government will indeed &#8220;give it the importance it deserves&#8221;. His reassurances that the water issue is a &#8220;top priority&#8221; for the government is quite comforting, as it hopefully gives the guarantee that it will tackle the issue rapidly and effectively.