Mauritius announces free water tanks amid severe shortage

Mauritius is facing a severe water crisis as major reservoirs, including Mare-aux-Vacoas, have seen significant declines in levels. As of October 8, national reservoir levels stood at 57.1%, a sharp drop from 87.4% the previous year.

The shortage has led to widespread public anger and protests in areas such as Vacoas-Phoenix and Camp-Levieux, resulting in several arrests. Residents report being without running water for up to five days, forcing them to rely on water tankers, rivers, or community sharing to meet basic needs for cooking and hygiene.

In response, the government has approved emergency measures to provide free water storage equipment. Starting Monday, households without existing storage can receive two free tanks (one 1,000-liter and one 500-liter), a pump, and fittings, regardless of income level. This measure also extends to Rodrigues. To claim the equipment, residents must prove to the Central Water Authority that they do not currently own a reservoir and present a coupon from the Development Bank of Mauritius at a hardware store.