Some 550 beneficiaries of the Water Tank Scheme received their vouchers for the purchase of water tanks and domestic water pumps, during a remittance ceremony organised today by the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities in collaboration with the Central Water Authority and the Development Bank of Mauritius at the seat of Pamplemousses District Council.

The Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Patrick Gervais Assirvaden, the Minister of Local Government, Mr Ranjiv Woochit, and Member of the National Assembly, Mr Kaviraj Rookny, were present at the ceremony.

Introduced in the 2011 Budget, the water tank subsidy aims to support low-income families in the purchase of a water tank to alleviate their hardship caused by limited water supply especially in the face of an ongoing critical water situation in the country. The grant for water tank has increased over the years to reach Rs 15,000 and has been extended to households with a monthly income of less than Rs 60,000.

In his address on the occasion, Minister Assirvaden dwelt on the ongoing critical water situation in Mauritius adding that lack of sufficient rainfall over the past few months has resulted in the depletion of water in our reservoirs. In the light of the dire situation causing numerous inconveniences to the population, he stated that it is important for Government to steer up efforts in ensuring an efficient management of water resources.

As such, water restrictions including ban on car washes, no use of hose, irrigation suspension in sugarcane fields, and no filling of swimming pools have been put to preserve water only for essential activities. The pumping of water from boreholes to secure additional water supplies is also being carried out across regions, he said.

The Water Tank Scheme, stated Minister Assirvaden, is yet another initiative to make sure that people have access to a reserve of water for their daily activities especially in regions that are most affected and are experiencing water supply cuts. He called on eligible beneficiaries to benefit from the Water Tank Scheme while stressing on Government’s vision to provide water tanks to some 30,000 families by end of this year.

Minister Woochit, for his part, underlined that this initiative targets most families across the island in view to alleviate the impacts caused by restricted water supply. He spoke of Government’s commitment to improve the quality of life of citizens by ensuring the availability of water for as long as possible, depending on the amount of rainfall that will be collected in the future. He also pointed out that old water pipe connections are being replaced in several regions to prevent leakage of water.

Minister Woochit further urged the population to be more conscious of the use of water and abide by the measures taken by the Government to tackle water resources efficiently.