Lack of water - What do we do ?

Hey Aussie - are you still struggling with water shortages?

I'm also in the north and I receive absolutely no water - have to keep relying on the tankers, but they don't come for days at a time.

I reported no water on Monday and today, Wednesday they still haven't come.

I'm starting to theorise on some conspiracies here - but don't want to voice them yet.

Sounds like South Africa.

I'm starting to theorise on some conspiracies here - but don't want to voice them yet.   

    -@Shawn5001

No tin foil hat required.

A quick Google will sort you out.

Unless a bunch of interntional agencies are all in on it

    Wondering if any of you guys living in Mauritian areas lack water & what if anything you have done about it. I am in north of Mauritius & our local area runs out of water often. I called CWA when tank was empty & they said they would come & fill the tank. I could not wash anything including me! for 2 days! Two days later when the water started flowing again, CWA called me to see if I still needed it - I said no. Would it help if I got all locals to complain? Should I get neighbours to sign a letter with me asking CWA to fix it? Has anyone else had this issue in their area & if so how did you solve it?
   

    -@AussieInMauritius

I remember this happening often when I was a kid and that's why there were 2 big water tanks - 1 on the ground and 1 on the roof.  I think that the water resources cannot support a large population and in times of drought or low rainfall, I remember this being a persistent problem.  And hotels tend to get priority over residences.

I do not think that complaining to the CWA will achieve anything as this has been a problem for a long time.

Of course, there is no easy fix for infrastructure projects - from lack of ability to raise water rates to fund fixing and building new reservoirs to deciding how much to give to the plantations.  It's a policy decision and that tends to be embroiled in politics.

Some suggestions to help conserve water - already implemented here in California and I saw the same in Brisbane: low flow shower heads, change to less than 1 gallon per flush toilets, shorter showers, stop watering lawns, water plants with drip system, and have a 5000 gallon tank or rainwater storage.

Good luck.

And 1 more suggestion - cover or get rid of the outdoor swimming pool... too much evaporation...

@Pablo888

I agree, complaining to CWA does jack crap.

I do not waste water - I am environmentally friendly, minimalist & just conscious. I have water saving appliances everywhere, I only flush when needed on dual flush loo, I wet, exfoliate/wash myself & then rinse (2 minutes, I have no lawn & have 1150 litre tank. I have no pool. I cannot do any more to save my water. Very frustrating but at least I have clean water to drink. There are others right now that have no food & clean water, etc. I don't feel like I have much to complain about right now. Peace to all.

@Pablo888

@AussieInMauritius, the good news is that there are many youtube videos on how to re-use water.  For instance, I installed a laundry to landscape system in my house based on a home based video taken near Alice Springs.  I also re-use some of the dishwashing rinse water for my composting efforts - but I hope to install a grey water system (which mean double drain system) in the future.

I think that Mauritius does not lack rain water but it looks like climate change is causing wetter and dryer periods.  I would suggest adding a second water tank - which should increase the time between dry spells.

A 'booster pump' has now been suggested. Has anyone tried a booster pump. I am not sure what it is is. Does it suck more water from CWA or just suck more water into the house? If there is no water coming from CWA how does it boost water?

    A 'booster pump' has now been suggested.
    -@AussieInMauritius

You guessed right.  A booster pump is meant to provide pressure by increasing flow - but if there is no flow, this will not work.

Maybe another suggestion:  if your whole area is affected, is it possible to tally all the neighbors' needs and this should be more enticing for the water tanker service to provide quicker / better delivery to the region? Build economies of scale?

@Pablo888

That's what I thought. But, I was told that even though it was legal it would suck more water from CWA for some strange reason. I just cant work out how it does this if there is no water coming in at all for most of the day. The whole area is affected - and I have considered this - not sure if this will make things worse though.

Hello, I've had a house in the north for many years. We get water released into our developments main tank once a day in the evening from the CWA. The simple solution is to get another tank(s) installed in your own property so that you get a bigger storage when there is a supply.

I believe the reservoirs are quite low at the moment as rainfall has been low.

We also have to get tanker deliveries when supply is particularly bad.

As stated, the pump is really just to get better pressure around your own place; particularly upstairs if you have one.

The rainfall ebbs and flows. A couple of years ago we had lots of torrential rain during the summer and I remember back in the mid 2000s it was very dry.

Hopefully picks up soon.

@Wandlewed

We have no main tanks. I have contacted CWA to fill up my tank, but still no response from them. I have a 1150 litre tank & I am the only one using it at the moment. I feel sorry for the families around here that probably have no water at the moment. Another tank would be pointless because there is never enough water to to fill 1 tank let alone 2 tanks. The water deliveries from CWA are free - is that correct?

Oh & the pump booster is apparently NOT legal! So I will not be doing that? Hopefully the universe sends us some rain today.

What is the best phone number to call CWA. I cannot get through to the 6015000 number. I have sent 4 messages/emails. What phone number do you guys in the North use?

Why does it take so long for the water lorry to arrive? With us it seems to be that the driver first goes where he get some "extra money". Typical Maurtius.

The problem could be that although there are more and more people in Mauritius, the amount of water available remains the same. According to my information, 19 large construction projects have been approved recently (hotels, residences). I therefore hope that the responsible have also thought about how to increase the amount of water available (e.g. through massive use of rainwater, desalination plants, etc.).

@Novalis1 As far as I can remember utilities has always been a sensitive issue for the population.  As such, any policy concerning utililities will be something that will need government oversight.  What I would recommend is to look at the budget or other policy documentation about what the plans are and this should give you a good idea.

@Novalis1 Yes this happens - a worker here once asked CWA truck if he could fill my tank while he was here & he asked for 1300r. The worker told him where to go.

Also, does it cost you anything when CWA bring you water. I saw a truck filling a neighbours tank on Saturday & it was losing a lot of water from a leak in the hose which looked taped.

I dont live in Mauritius and I am here to check if I make the move.

But as an architect, I can tell you that seems like adding a extra tank wouldn't help much on a system that seems to be used well above his capacity.

Either developments start to rationalise and use methods of rainfall collection, or the lack of water will be constant...or worst with the new developments.

I remember seeing developments selling houses for half a million dollars. Surely whoever buys this, will not stand having this inconvenience and will pay whatever it takes to get his tank filled.

Oh and a note on the booster pump.

Those pumps don't "extract" more water from the system. You only use them if you have to send the water to the upper floors.

Without this pump, your first floor would have the water dripping from the taps and you would not get the desired flow.

I dont believe this is illegal anywhere as it is a common and needed practice across the world in any building with more than one floor. But this would not help you get more water from the system as far as I know.

P.s: you can have a look at buried tanks that collect rainwater from the gutters.

@Michel Vieira

Thank you for your valuable information. I also do not think that an extra tank would help if I am not getting much water most of the time. I am looking at getting a rainwater tank to back me up. Also, I have been told that because my main is connected to the top of my tank that gravity is impeding its flow.

Apparently the booster pump is illegal & the fine here is 50,000 r to 200,000 r. However most people have it. Apparently, if those around me have it, it means this is one of the reasons I am missing out on water coming in because they are getting the bulk of it before it gets to me. I am still not sure how this works???

A buried tank has been suggested & I have someone coming to quote on ways I can get more water today.

Thanks again Michel.

@AussieInMauritius

I would check with an M&E (or cheaper option is an experienced plumber) what are the options.

As for the booster (or commonly called water pump) I really don't see a reason for that to be illegal. Lived in 4 countries and never heard of such thing.

Everything you have to "conduct" water up to reach upper floors, you need a water pump since the system normally doesn't have enough pressure to "win" against gravity and supply a normal flow of water to taps or tanks on upper floors.

Anyway apologies I got carried away, I am just an architect and rely on input from M&E and plumbers on those matters lol.

    @Novalis1 Yes this happens - a worker here once asked CWA truck if he could fill my tank while he was here & he asked for 1300r. The worker told him where to go.
   

    -@AussieInMauritius

Yes, "greasing the wheel" is common in certain occupations.  Everytime I go back for a visit, I end up having to do this once or twice...  The good news is that it is getting to be less frequent as the standard of living has gone up significantly - but the salaries can still be comparatively quite low.

@AussieInMauritius

New water distribution hours

NORTH - 4. A.M. to 7 A.M.  and 4.P.M

To 7 P.M.

MOstly every house in Mauritius should have tank ,preferably bigger one.Depends on your life style and budget...

If you have gardener let him aware of thus so not to waste water .

@Michel Vieira

My plumber came yesterday & got me some water. I have a pump that pumps water into house. It is the booster pump that is definately illegal. Fine is 50,000 to 200,00 r if you are caught. Because my main goes into top of tank the booster pump worked & this is how my plumber was able to get me some water yesterday. Still no sign of CWA but plumber is quoting me on a couple of improvements.

@VK28 "New water distribution hours

NORTH - 4 A.M. to 7 A.M. and 4 P.M. to 7 P.M."

Please, where did you receive that information? And from when does it apply? I am living in Mont Choisy, and yesterday there was no water during these times.

SO, two weeks later CWA have not turned up with my water despite numerous phonecalls & emails & complaints. When I call, they quite often hang up on me as soon as I give my name or reference number. Does anyone know where to lodge a formal complaint about CWA besides with CWA? Perhaps a government department or something?

Does anyone know where to lodge a formal complaint about CWA besides with CWA? Perhaps a government department or something?
   

    -@AussieInMauritius

• May be the press?  Here is an example -> https://www.lemauricien.com/le-mauricie … rs/481375/  Please note that the above 2022 Le Mauricien article clearly identified the problem as water loss (intentional and non-intentional).  The only long term fix is to replace the broken / leaking supply lines.

• Thinking out of the box here -> may be setup a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a non-profit to start addressing the issue locally?

It looks like unfortunately only money - and a large amount of that - can solve this issue....

Not an easy solution...

Thanks Pablo, very interesting reading.

Water is a basic essential human need. They say we only receive water sometimes for a few hours a day. Yet, there were days I got none & one day luckily I got water flowing into my tank for 2 freakin minutes. CWA do not give a crap. There truck delivering people take cash in hand for people wanting water. That is one way they lose water. Also, I have seen their truck & half the water was leaking out of their taped pipe - more lost water.

I built in a new area, so there are no old/broken/leaky pipes or building issues in my street. Apparently, most people around here have the illegal pump booster which sucks extra water. I do not have this. Apparently, if I don't get this then I get the trickle whilst others get the pressure when water is running. I'm trying to do the right thing but neighbours have said I will not get water unless I too get this illegal pump booster.

CWA's mission statement is crap. Their staff are down right rude - having said that, I understand how hard it must be for these people to take the crap that is not their fault.

In article, I also get that tourist areas get optimum water at locals' expense. How freakin sad that someone can play golf & some of us cannot bathe. Nous pas pes selebre kan nou pas gaigne dilo! (NOT SURE ABOUT MY SPELLING LOL).

As for a go fund me page - I don't understand where that money would go - mostly likely corrupt pockets. I am planning to speak to a local solicitor/advocat in our street to see what else we can do. As a non-local, I just don't know where else to go at this stage to complain or fix the problem.

Locals here seem to hate it as much as I do. But, they also seem too scared to complain. I think CWA have me on some kind of avoid/hang up list. I was told by most of the neighbours that calling them & complaining would not do any good. Most of them said they don't bother calling CWA anymore to bring water now because CWA don't come or follow up. If CWA do follow up, by that time 1-2 weeks later, they have water! Anyways, I managed to have a decent shower today & wash some clothes because it rained & I got a little more water. Not sure what will happen tomorrow though. Have an awesome day Pablo & thanks again for your help.

@AussieInMauritius, improving the water situation in Mauritius will take time. 

My family in Mauritius consist of many returnees from Europe and Australia and some of them are trying to make things better through education by contributing to local newspapers in form of opinion letters or articles.  In other words, you are not alone here.

One last thing - don't let this water situation distract you from enjoying living on the island.  Living in Mauritius is much more enjoyable when you ignore the little "inconveniences".

Hang in there....

@AussieInMauritius, with the recent rains, did the water situation improve?  Just curious...

I have 2 tanks. One is underground and the other on the roof. No issues till now living in the North (Cap Malheureux).

@Pablo888 Yes, I finally got water this week & was able to have family over for dinner. CWA never came despite my calls, messages & complaints over a 15 day period!

@John Cleaner underwater tank has been suggested - I will have to look at that if water situation does not change. The amount quoted was a bit pricey for now - 40,000 r

    @John Cleaner underwater tank has been suggested
    -@AussieInMauritius

A slightly cheaper option would be a ground level tank as this will not involve digging - but it will take real estate space.  IMHO, a 2 tank solution is a must as the supply has and in all likelihood will be unreliable for a while.

I am currently looking for a beach house and the 2 tanks configuration are on my requirements list.

Good luck.

@Pablo888 Apparently there is no point me getting a second ground level tank - because I am not getting enough water to fill the one tank I have. Underwater tank was suggested because gravity would mean more water would come in. Ground level tank has hose at top but main where water comes from is ground level. So water has to defy gravity to get up the hose & into tank. When they take hose out of tank & put it on ground, I get more water. This is why most people get the illegal pump booster. I am catching rainwater for garden, mopping & whatever - so I have enough water to house. Will see how I go for now. Thanks for your help

@AussieInMauritius i would advice you to have at least two tanks as summer is already here so do drought season.there is a lack of water management here in Mauritius dont be fool by heavy rainfall and flood

@Pablo888it won't be improved. There is a lack of water management here in Mauritius. For a small island which have flood heavy rainfall it's a waste of water .just take your precaution

    @Pablo888it won't be improved. There is a lack of water management here in Mauritius. For a small island which have flood heavy rainfall it's a waste of water .just take your precaution
   

    -@Mima   7

@Mima7, I am Mauritius born and I distinctly remember water shortages even after cyclones.  Was hoping that things would have gotten better.

Is it true that the precaution here is "store [water] for a dry day"?