The water supply of the island nation of Mauritius is becoming scarcer as its water authority and meteorological officials warn that recent weather patterns coupled with rising water usage are a constant threat.
Mauritian water resource officials and meteorological scientists say that the water demand situation is becoming gradually more challenging with declining rainfalls recorded from May this year to present being a worrying sign.
Speaking at a press conference on water sustainability in Phoenix, Central Water Authority (CWA) Chairman Mr Prem Saddul, cautioned that water reserves in Mauritius may diminish rapidly because Mauritian businesses and individuals are using more water than ever.
Mr Saddul stated that water demand is rising rapidly as a result of the increase in commercial and urban development, while a rising population coupled with abnormal seasonal climate fluctuations are seeing water supply decline.
Saddul cautioned Mauritians to make sensible use of water while advising to utilize rainwater for gardens and not solely relying on tap water from the national water grid.
Funding has peaked at 24.4 million dollars constructing and installing new water pipeline facilities since 2010 to cope with the upsurge in water demand and circumvent future water shortages, Saddul explained.
Major projects presently underway are the construction of 18km pipelines in Camp Fouquereux and Plaine des Papayes which are replacing outdated pipelines.
Although the CWA believes that water levels at dams are stable, they warned that Mauritius is in its seasonal dry period and that water resources at dams will decline due to this.
Principal dams such as Nicoliere are currently at 68 per cent while Mare aux Vacaos is at 79 per cent ,the Midlands dam in the islands central plateau is at 61 per cent.
Meteorological scientists at the press meet also conveyed to journalists that the average amount of rainfall recorded was 1,609 millimetres in 2012, a 17 per cent drop, saying the trend may continue until December.
According to the Mauritian Meteorological Service in the period from May to August 2013 only 245 mm of rain was recorded, representing a 50 per cent drop in predicted rainfall.
Over the course of last year the government repeatedly warned islanders about water wastage, frequently advertising on freeway billboards, national radio and television asking citizens to be extremely mindful about water usage.
Weather monitoring stations peppering the island have over the last 3 months anticipated that the dry season will extend to December, however historical data obtained from the weather services show that heavy rainfalls are expected from January to mid May 2014.
Daily water consumption per person was 152 litres in 1990, this has stretched to 170 litres based on current forecast data.
Water consumption is projected to reach 180 litres per day according to a recent study undertaken by the Institute for Environmental and Legal Studies in Rose Hill, putting more pressure on water resources.
Latest figures indicate that water consumption has risen by approximately 34 per cent since the beginning of 2013 according to the Mauritian Central Statistics Office.
This time last year 590,000 m3 was used daily by the island nation.
Year on year forecasts from the Ministry of Public Utilities and Central Water Authority say in line with the 85 per cent increase in water usage over the past 20 years this figure will rise by the end of the year.