Port Louis:A National Water Policy is being crafted in Mauritius to bolster water security, enhance resource management, and improve climate resilience, setting a strategic framework for the water sector up to 2050. The proposed policy, which includes measurable objectives for 2030, 2040, and 2050, was the focal point of a validation workshop held at the Caudan Arts Centre.
According to Government of Mauritius, the workshop was organized by the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities in partnership with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). It is part of the Sustainable Integrated Water Sector Management Master Plan for the Republic of Mauritius, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to review the proposed policy, share insights, and contribute to its finalization.
Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr. Patrick Gervais Assirvaden, and AFD Director for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms. Audrey Nirrengarten, attended the workshop. Minister Assirvaden stressed the necessity for a coherent and sustainable water management strategy, especially amid current drought conditions and climate variability, emphasizing the need to safeguard existing water supplies and reduce distribution losses.
The proposed policy aims to promote an integrated approach to managing water resources, considering catchment characteristics and regional needs. It also highlights the need to diversify water sources through methods such as boreholes, surface water collection, and desalination.
Minister Assirvaden also addressed the inefficiency in water distribution, noting that 63% of produced drinking water remains unbilled. He announced a Rs 2.9 billion initiative to replace 114 kilometers of water pipes this year, alongside efforts to enhance leak detection and network performance.
Institutional coordination is crucial, the Minister noted, urging collaboration among the Central Water Authority, Water Resources Commission, Wastewater Management Authority, and the private sector. A joint committee with Business Mauritius is set to be operational next week to support coordinated efforts.
Ms. Nirrengarten observed that the policy will provide a unified framework for institutional, investment, and reform decisions, aiming to reduce non-revenue water to 35% by 2040. She highlighted the importance of adopting the policy post-consultation.
AFD's support includes a EUR 200 million Public Policy Loan, supplemented by a EUR 2 million grant for implementation support and technical assistance.
