Mayotte water office launches citizen forums to address production deficit

The Office de l'eau de Mayotte (OEM) has launched the first annual ‘Rencontres citoyennes de l’eau’ to facilitate dialogue between institutions and residents regarding the island's critical water shortages. Under the theme ‘L’eau se partage. La parole aussi’, the event aims to integrate public concerns into long-term water management strategies.

Mayotte faces a significant structural deficit, producing approximately 38,000 cubic meters of water daily against a demand of 47,000 cubic meters. Additionally, daily losses are estimated at 8,000 cubic meters. Residents have raised concerns regarding chronic service interruptions, sanitary water quality, and rising costs.

Proposed solutions to address the shortage include infrastructure projects such as a seventh borehole, a new hill reservoir in Ourovéni, and a desalination plant at Ironi Bé, though the latter is currently suspended by judicial order. Citizens have also suggested practical alternatives, such as rainwater harvesting for domestic uses through initiatives like the ‘Une maison, une cuve’ program.