Mayotte: an incident leaves half the island without drinking water
Water news in France is focused today on Mayotte, where a technical incident at the Ourovéni water treatment plant has left half of Grande-Terre without drinking water. This Tuesday, November 12, an electrical issue disrupted the tap water supply in the center and south of the island. According to the prefecture, this plant usually produces between 15,000 and 20,000 m³ of water per day, which is enough to supply nearly half of the territory’s 320,000 inhabitants.
In response to this critical situation, drinking water tanks are being deployed in the affected municipalities. However, the timeframe for restoring the supply remains uncertain, leaving residents in a highly precarious situation. The island, already facing a major water crisis, sees its difficulties exacerbated by this incident.
A crisis aggravated by chronic water shortages
The lack of rainfall during the 2022-2023 rainy season, combined with insufficient production and network leaks, has put Mayotte under water stress for several months. Daily water consumption reaches 45,000 m³, while production is capped at 40,000 m³. Consequently, the people of Mayotte are subject to regular cut-offs, being deprived of water one day out of three.
The incident at the Ourovéni plant is intensifying these cuts, affecting the municipalities of Chiconi, Dembéni, Sada, Ouangani, Bandrélé, Chirongui, Bouéni, and parts of Kani-Kéli. This situation is also putting educational institutions in difficulty, with several middle and high schools having to close their doors due to a lack of sanitary water.
Ongoing efforts to restore the situation
Faced with this crisis, teams from the water syndicate (SMAE) are working actively at the plant to assess the consequences of the incident. Temporary solutions, such as the installation of water tanks, help to partially meet urgent needs. However, these measures remain insufficient for a population already hit hard by regular restrictions.
This new incident highlights the urgent need to improve water management in Mayotte. Environmental and social challenges demand sustainable solutions to guarantee access to drinking water for all. By following water news in France, Filtralife Solution is committed to informing and supporting local stakeholders in the preservation of this essential resource.
