The Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr. Georges Pierre Lesjongard, effected a site visit at Port Louis Municipal Dyke in Pailles, today, with a view to devise strategies and policies for a more judicious use of water resources and to improve the water supply network in the country.
The Port Louis Municipal Dyke dam, located on the Grand North West River, dates back to 1932 and has been renovated in 2003. Some 85,000m3 of water from the river is transported to, and is treated daily, at Pailles Water Treatment Plant, then distributed to the Port Louis region including Terre Rouge, Vallée des Prêtres, Vallée Pitot, La Tour Koenig and Pointe aux Sables.
According to Mr. Lesjongard, the Ministry intends to replicate this type of dyke on other rivers across Mauritius. He recalled that in the 2020 – 2021 Budget, it was announced that, in order to improve the production, supply and distribution network of drinking water, rivers and other water flows would be exploited. He stated a series of pressure filters were installed last year to treat water from rivers which was injected in the water supply network.
The Minister also said that the amount of rain received this year was quite satisfactory with Bagatelle Dam having reached 98% of its capacity. He however underlined the necessity to diversify the water resources while reviewing water collection methods and introducing new technologies. He said that government is working on a series of measures to meet the growing demand for drinking water, especially with the various development projects.
Moreover, Mr. Lesjongard announced that the tender for the Rivière des Anguilles dam will be launched soon. He added that work has already begun regarding the rehabilitation of La Nicolière reservoir with a view to increasing its capacity to better respond to water shortages in the northern area of the country.
