As you are all aware, according to the CWA, Mauritius is facing acute water shortages. The same organism predicts that the actual water levels in our reservoirs will last for two months at most, should no rain falls. There was an incident lately concerning water supply in the region of Roche Bois whereby inhabitants did not receive water supply for four consecutive days. They expressed their discontent by blocking the trunk road. The CWA reached a compromise that during the festive period, they would receive full supply and thereafter, the cut programme would be in place.
Heat and plenty of sunshine are predictions for the new year,and hopefully plenty of rain. Cockroaches are messing around lately. Does that pre-sign heavy rainfalls? Since morning there have been spells of showers but insufficient to fill the reservoirs. They are very shy lately. El Nino?
“Happy new year” sounds quite inappropriate after reading this post.
When we went over the feasibility study reports for the Midlands Dam, it was sold as THE dam to end all water shortage problems in Mauritius. I wonder why we are still short of water after it has been built. Maybe the weather alone is not to be blamed, but also the CWA and a lack of water management skills.
— Eddy
Hope on your side you had a nice eve!
It is very true that Midlands dam is considered as THE dam. But with 45% of leakages coming from the main distributing channels of the CWA, no matter how big or how many reservoirs you build, the problem will still remain the same. The faulty pipes will have to be replaced. The ball is on the side of the authorities concerned.
Every year we hear the same rhetoric- do not waste water. Until recently, an article in the press about the penalty to be inflicted to those who use water unnecessarily. It takes two hands to make a sound. So blaming the population for the ail of water shortage, that’s very cheap…
Waste of water through leakage became a national issue in Britain a couple of years ago when the country went through one of the worst droughts in its history. I doubt anyone was bothered anymore after last year’s floods!
I remember reading an interesting interview of an water resources management expert in 5-Plus when I was in Mauritius. He claimed that the country would never face water shortages with proper management of the distribution network. As always, things are easier said than done.
— Eddy
I have the impression that CWA doesn’t want/doesn’t have the funds to check the leakages and do necessary repairs and maintainance. This leakage excuse has been here for years, but we’ve never seen a real overhaul of the distribution system. And yes, I too remember the govt telling us the Midland dams would solve our water shortage.
LOL!
CWA?
It’s been one whole week since we last called them to inform about a leaking pipe near my house…even the neighbours caleed. My husband caleed 2 consecutive days. (wednesday and thursday) They came Saturday afternoon for the overtime i presume and sunday morning….
Yet till today (after more than one week) it’s still the same.
And they dare campaign about saving water!!!!??? I really want to kick them!
Hope they change coz we are the one paying for their innefficiency.