“Water bills should match electricity and telecom costs to reflect the vital importance of the resource”

Beyond the Dry Spell: Is Mauritius Running a 21st-Century Economy on 1950s Water Infrastructure?

Interview: Virendra Proag – Former Associate Professor in Civil Engineering at the UOM

* ‘The ‘60% water loss’ narrative is a statistical ghost rather than a physical reality’

* ‘People must realize that nothing is truly free. If no money is given to the government (of the people), then no money is available for development (for the people)’

As Mauritius grapples with the familiar sting of water restrictions and dwindling reservoir levels, a weary public is once again asking why the “water crisis” remains a permanent fixture of national life. While official narratives often point to climate change and staggering 60% leakage rates, the reality beneath the surface is far more complex.

In this insightful interview, Virendra Proag, former Associate Professor in Civil Engineering at the University of Mauritius, challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding our water management. From the “statistical ghosts” of unaccounted-for water to the stark disparity in reservoir capacity between urban and rural sectors, Proag argues that the solution lies not just in waiting for rain, but in a fundamental shift in how we value, fund, and distribute our most precious resource.

Mauritius Times: Every time rainfall is low and reservoirs run dry, we face the same cycle: official warnings, water cuts, and a lack of long-term solutions. Why does this story never change?

Virendra Proag: When a child touches a hot object, they immediately learn a lesson that is rarely forgotten in a lifetime. Are we, as a society, spendthrifts? A spendthrift is one who spends recklessly or wastefully, often exceeding their means. Are we truly taught to save our money — or our resources?

In January 2026, newspapers announced that the island had largely moved away from the “acute water stress” of 2025, when reservoir levels languished at just 42.1%. Levels had reportedly climbed to 71.3%, a significant leap from the dire conditions of the previous year. Yet now, in April 2026, as levels begin to dip, the narrative has shifted: “Water usage restrictions are being considered… If no action is taken, reserve levels could fall by 22% to 23% by mid-June, necessitating emergency protocols.”

Should we ask why there is such a drastic change between January and April? The issue isn’t just the rain that didn’t fall, but how we managed the water we had. Were we ever taught not to be spendthrifts?

* Beyond the lack of rainfall, how much of this cycle is driven by our ageing infrastructure? With non-revenue water (NRW) levels — driven by leaks and frequent pipe bursts — reportedly remaining high, we must ask: is the problem truly a lack of supply, or is it a systemic failure in delivery?

Figure 1: Providing water on a 24/7 basis

As illustrated in Figure 1, once a service zone is identified for water delivery, a rigorous six-point checklist must be satisfied: (1) sufficiency of available resources, (2) adequacy of water quality, (3) integrity of pipes from source to treatment, (4) availability of 24-hour service storage, (5) efficiency of the distribution network, and (6) a robust plan for regular maintenance.

Any deficiency in these areas inevitably leads to supply failures. Ultimately, the system is only as strong as its weakest link; if one element fails, the entire chain of delivery to the consumer breaks.

* Is the current capacity of our impounding reservoirs actually sufficient for a growing population and increasing commercial demand, or are we trying to run a 21st-century economy on 1950s infrastructure?

While our population growth may be stagnating due to negative demographics, water demand continues to rise as urban development expands.

When growth occurs in a previously undeveloped area, the requirements of Figure 1 apply in full. However, even when existing zones undergo new additions — whether within or outside current parameters — Figure 1 must be revisited. Existing components are often inadequate for the increased demand of a new supply zone. To ignore this is to act like an ostrich with its head in the sand.

In some instances, we must increase our raw resources; in others, it is the pipelines or service reservoirs that require reinforcement. Furthermore, inadequate maintenance — likely fuelled by insufficient revenue — does more than just damage the network; it erodes public trust.

This brings us to a difficult truth regarding costs. Have you ever compared your bills for electricity, telephony, and water? People often complain that their water bills are high, yet the reality is exactly the opposite.

* We rely heavily on surface water from impounding reservoirs and groundwater. From an engineering standpoint, why haven’t we seen a more aggressive shift toward alternative solutions, such as large-scale desalination or advanced wastewater recycling, to buffer the impact of delayed rainy seasons?

The main reason is cost: The minimum cost for desalinated water starts at around 1 $ US per cubic metre! Conveyance cost, for pipelines and pumping from the coast to inland supply zones, should not be forgotten! Mauritian hotels mention a cost of Rs55-80 per cubic metre. In Rodrigues the cost of production at the desalination plant is Rs60 per cubic metre — in a country where the charge is Rs22 annually! You might wish to wonder how the Rodrigues Public Utilities Corporation (RPUC) pays for the production costs!

Advanced wastewater recycling is likely just as costly. Namibia has pioneered this technology since the 1980s, injecting treated water directly into the potable network. While we must move toward these technologies if no alternatives exist, progress is impossible unless the government finds a way to fund both the initial outlay and the ongoing operational costs.

* Climate patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable. Are our current water management protocols based on historical data that no longer applies, and what technical solutions can we put in place now to stop water cuts from happening every year?

Over the long term, water never truly leaves Planet Earth; it evaporates, cycles through the atmosphere, and eventually returns. Technology has sharpened our awareness of these cycles, but it has not necessarily changed our behaviour.

In 1960, Cyclone Carol taught us a permanent lesson: how to construct buildings capable of resisting cyclonic winds. We subsequently faced severe droughts in 1987, 1999, 2009, and 2025. Yet, unlike the lessons of Carol, we have failed to turn our crisis-driven water conservation into permanent habits.

We do not need treated, chlorinated water to water flowers, wash yards, or grow vegetables. Rainwater harvesting at the household level for these purposes would not only lower individual water bills but also significantly reduce the strain on our national distribution network.

* According to official figures, the CWA pipe network loses more than 60% of the water it produces. What is your opinion on this?

“There are lies, damned lies, and statistics,” Disraeli famously said. According to official figures from Statistics Mauritius, in 2024, the Central Water Authority (CWA) produced approximately 332 million cubic meters (Mm³) of water but sold only 115 Mm³ — scarcely more than a third.

Table 1: Water Produced and Used (Mm³)

This staggering discrepancy naturally leads many to ask: with such massive losses in the CWA network, why should the average citizen bother to save a single drop?

On the surface, this point of view seems plausible. However, let us scrutinize the data. Table 1 outlines water production and sales figures over a ten-year period, from 2015 to 2024. If we were to plot these figures — Sales (VU) on the vertical axis and Production (VP) on the horizontal axis — as any SC or Form V student would do, we would obtain two potential straight lines.

Unfortunately, statistical theory reveals a sobering truth: both are interpretations of incorrect models. Even the narrative showing a 60% loss fails to capture the full, complex reality of our water crisis.

* The table clearly shows that the volume of water produced is far higher than the volume billed. Surely, one might conclude, this difference represents physical losses, right?

The significant gap between these two figures — while confirming a massive discrepancy — does not necessarily equate to system losses. The fundamental error lies in the assumption that this “missing” water has simply leaked away.

At best — assuming the figures are even accurate — they indicate a volume better described as “Unaccounted-for Water.” There are numerous reasons for this gap that have nothing to do with burst pipes: for instance, domestic meters may be significantly under-metering consumption, while production figures at the source may be grossly overestimated.

* If the domestic meters are under-metering, an immediate conclusion is that the official consumption of 115 Mm3 is really underestimated, and that the consumption in Mauritius is much more! Now, is it possible to have zero water loss?

Let us examine a few facts:

(1) In Rodrigues, except in Port Mathurin, all pipes are laid on the ground surface. And very rarely do we find leaking pipes, or any water accumulation on the ground. There is no reason to believe that Rodriguan plumbers are better skilled than their Mauritian counterparts.

Photo 1 : A litre of water spreads over a wet patch of several square
metres besides a car!

(2) Photo 1 shows a pool of water, arising from a litre of water. This shows a wet patch of already a few square metres. If some 60% of water produced is lost between two neighbours, then at least one cubic metre would be lost between them! Can you imagine the wet patch (1 mm thick) which should form if a water loss of 1m3 (1,000 litres) occurred? At least 1,000 square metres: on a 7-metre-wide road, this would amount to a length of 140 metres! But we never see wet patches on such a large scale.

(3) Is it possible that the leaking water or being lost travels underground? Yes, but there is no evidence that there is a network of caverns and underground canals that channel the water away. Sooner or later, this water should emerge as a water source somewhere, or if the soil is saturated, it comes out bubbling. Again, how many of these sources have you encountered?

(4) Water flows under pressure in the water networks. Should a leak occur, this water pressure should send the leaking water as a water jet somewhere, at least several metres high. How many such jets did you see today?

Given the absence of visible evidence for such massive systemic failure — and while acknowledging that some leaks are inevitable — it is difficult to accept the narrative of exceptionally high-water loss. While we must account for the reality of old pipes, it stretches credulity to believe that more than half of our treated water simply vanishes into the earth without a trace. It appears, therefore, that the ‘60% water loss’ narrative is a statistical ghost rather than a physical reality.

* There are many areas where people complain of not receiving enough water, or a 24/7 water supply. Why does this occur?

Let us start with the basics. Water distribution is carried out, in Mauritius, through six main networks which have developed following geographical and hydrological parameters. These networks are the following:*

* MaV Upper. (Upper Mare aux Vacoas), which distributes water to the high-altitude regions of Plaines Wilhems and a part of Moka.

* MaV Lower (Lower Mare aux Vacoas), which supplies the low altitude regions of Plaines Wilhems and the Black River zone.

* Port Louis, which feeds Port Louis and the suburbs of Pointe aux Sables, of Petite Rivière, of Pailles and Vallée des Prêtres.

* North, supplying the zones of Pamplemousses and Rivière du Rempart.

* East, sending water to Flacq, a part of Moka and the south-east coastal zones.

* South, which delivers water to the Grand Port and Savanne zones.

We are faced with a paradox. Complaints about our water supply are numerous and loud, ranging from irregular service to frequent interruptions and visible leaks. While the supply is far from perfect, it remains functional enough to sustain life. However, we must recognize that the reasons for an inadequate supply are not uniform across the islands; the challenges we face are as varied as the localities they affect.

Figure 2: Water Distribution Networks in Mauritius

A comparison of the networks — relative to total population, CWA subscribers, reservoir capacity, and total production — is detailed in Table 2. The data reveals a startling disparity: there is a massive gap in total service reservoir capacity between urban and rural regions. This remains true even when the population size, number of subscribers, and total water production are essentially the same. 

Table 2: Comparison of water distribution networks.

It is likely futile to debate why or how this situation arose. However, a correlation should be drawn between the limited supply hours in rural regions and the lack of reservoir capacity, especially given that regional populations, subscriber numbers, and total water production remain comparable.

* So, do you think that service reservoirs need to be built in the rural areas?

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, many people installed small water tanks on their roofs for this very purpose: to ensure a supply when the mains were cut. However, apart from storing a significantly larger volume of water ($1,000$ to $6,000$ m³), a service reservoir fulfills several critical roles in proper water distribution. When such a reservoir functions correctly, household tanks become unnecessary, as residents receive water the moment they open their taps. Notably, before the 1960s, I do not recall any water cuts occurring during the day.

* How does the presence of a service reservoir help?

Among the many advantages of a service reservoir, there is pressure and flow regulation. As the outlet of the service reservoir is at a given elevation, this determines the maximum pressure available, in the pipeline, during distribution to the consumers. The inlet of the reservoir is fed from a source of water, with a more or less constant average hourly flow. In contrast, the flow at the outlet varies from a minimum of nearly zero – when only one tap (at night) is open in the network to several times (peak flow factor) the average hourly flow — when all consumers are opening their taps — in the morning or evening!

Without a reservoir, the network cannot satisfactorily accommodate such wide variations in flow, causing the water supply service to suffer. Furthermore, consider what happens during the day when no one is using water and every tap is closed — perhaps because everyone is out? Naturally, each local supply zone must be thoroughly investigated to determine the correct reservoir capacity required to serve that specific area.

* You are basically saying that the Government needs to invest massively on a metering programme and the construction of service reservoirs in many (rural) localities in Mauritius. This certainly requires quite a lot of money?

It is worth noting that the last water tariff increases in Mauritius took place in 2012. Since then, consider how much salaries and the cost of goods have risen.

People must realize that nothing is truly free; even ‘free’ healthcare in public hospitals carries a significant cost. One only needs to visit a private clinic for the same treatment to see the difference; even if that private invoice were divided by two or three, the underlying cost of healthcare is far from negligible.

Ultimately, the government has no money other than what the population provides. If no money is given to the government (of the people), then no money is available for development (for the people).

* Are you saying that subscribers must put their hands in their pockets for a considerable contribution to the water supply sector?

Many parents today easily spend Rs 500 monthly on phone credit for their children, simply so they can speak to friends they already see every day. Similarly, there is a growing trend among young employees to frequent shopping mall food courts at lunchtime. When one considers what they spend there each month, it is clear that the days when their parents quietly ate home-made ‘pain fourré’ are long gone.

If these consumers added just Rs 100 to their monthly CWA bill, it would amount to Rs 1,200 per year, per subscriber. With 350,000 subscribers, this would generate an additional Rs 420 million annually for the CWA. Over five years, that would result in a total additional contribution of more than Rs 2 billion.

* And you believe that people would agree to pay?

In Rodrigues, the current tariff of water with Rodrigues is an annual fixed price of Rs 22. When I spoke to a few of them, I learnt that some people spend between Rs 4000 and Rs10,000 (as transport costs) annually to buy water coming from private water trucks (the water is obtained free from the Mourouk production plant).

In several other countries, this purchase from water vendors or private carriers bringing water on their premises was a good pretext for privatizing the water sector.

* So, do you think that we should privatize the water sector?

Heaven forbid! Certainly not. However, unfortunately, for several decades, successive governments have been reluctant to increase water tariffs. Consequently, subscribers do not fully understand the true cost of water production and distribution, nor do they appreciate its value, leading to inevitable wastage.

As the saying goes, ‘one cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs,’ and a reliable distribution network requires adequate infrastructure. If the public expects high-quality service, it is necessary to contribute to its cost in one way or another — preferably through a proper tariff structure.

* Do you have any suggestions?

The Government should certainly consider a more reasonable tariff. When residents in Rodrigues are willing to pay Rs 4,000 for just one or two truckloads of water a year, we must consider what that truly represents. Admittedly, water is an essential service, but Rs 4,000 is equivalent to more than Rs 300 per month. Should the water bill not be at least comparable to those for electricity or telecommunications, if only to emphasize the vital importance of water in our daily lives?

With a minimum wage of Rs 20,000, a monthly bill of Rs 200 accounts for only 1% — yet the World Bank recommends even higher percentages. Taking another approach: in France, where the minimum wage is approximately 1,500 Euros, domestic water costs about 1.50 Euros per cubic metre, with an equivalent cost for the sewerage network. Essentially, the price of one cubic metre of water there is equal to the minimum wage divided by one thousand!

* What do you think about the future of water supply in Mauritius?

Strategic thinking and sectoral reorganisation are certainly necessary. However, any Master Plan will remain a mere dream unless it is accompanied by an estimated budget and a rigorous implementation schedule. As the saying goes, ‘money does not grow on trees,’ and we must have a clear strategy for fund mobilisation. Even when friendly nations provide grants for infrastructure, Mauritius must be prepared to fund the ongoing operational and maintenance costs.

Furthermore, when consumers consider Rs 6 for a cubic meter of water (1,000 litres) to be expensive, how can we even contemplate desalination, which costs Rs 60 per cubic meter? Consider the shift in Rodrigues: whereas hotel rates once included bottled water as standard, last year I was charged Rs 100 plus VAT for a small 300 mL soft drink.

In Mauritius, a 500 mL bottle of water typically costs Rs 50 at a local shop. How is it that people find these prices acceptable, yet balk at the cost of utility water? When comparing bills for electricity, telecommunications, and water, it becomes clear that the water bill is the lowest of all — despite claims to the contrary.

References

* Central Water Authority. (2024). Annual Report 2020-21. St Paul: Republic of Mauritius.

* Proag, V. (2025). Eau 24/7 : Défis et Solutions. Mauritius: University of Mauritius Press.

* Statistics Mauritius. (2024). Digest of Energy and Water Statistics 2024. Port Louis: Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development.

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Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 24 April 2026

Tags:Ageing Infrastructure, Capital Investment, Climate Variability, Conservation Practices, Consumption Patterns, Desalination Plants, Distribution Networks, Drought, Groundwater Resources, Mauritius Times, Operational Efficiency, Pipe Leaks, Pipelines, Population Demographics, Production Cost, Public Funding, Public policy, Rainfall, Rainwater Harvesting, Reservoirs, Service Delivery, Smart Metering, Storage Capacity, Strategic Planning, Sustainability, System Losses, System Maintenance, Unaccounted Water, Urban Development, Urbanisation, Virendra Proag, Wastewater Recycling, Water, Water Demand, Water Distribution, Water Management, Water Pressure, Water Statistics, Water Supply, Water Tariffs, Water Wastage