Save water campaign 2012 Mauritius- Significant Improvement in Water levels but campaign continues-– Update 20 April 2012

Good news: Save water campaign 2012 - Significant Improvement in Water levels  but campaign continues-– Update 20 April 2012

Some good news from Mauritius: While we were fearing the worst regarding the water level in our reservoirs during the month of February 2012   some providential rain has helped to avoid a serious issue of water shortage.  While Midlands dam, La Nicoliere and Piton du Milieu are at 100 per cent hence above their normal average for the season, Mare aux Vacoas (67.9%) is still lagging behind its average of 82.7 %. La Ferme is at 74.2 per cent  only slightly below its average of (75.2%) while Mare Longue is at 78.5% which is above its average of (74.4%).

Although the situation has improved significantly in our reservoirs, the boreholes are in a worse situation especially at Pierrefonds and Morcellement St Andre which are respectively 28% and 42 % below their maximum capacity.

Hence even if a dramatic outcome has been avoided, the water situation has to be monitored very closely and responsible use of water has to be encouraged. Mare aux Vacoas supplies a huge chunk of the urban population and is still 15 percentage points below its normal average which explains why some water cuts are still in force.