the regular water supply issues being encountered in Alma, L’Espérance, L’Avenir, Ripailles and Nouvelle Déc…
(No. A/33) Dr. Ms B. Thannoo (Second Member for Quartier Militaire & Moka) asked the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities whether, in regard to the regular water supply issues being encountered in Alma, L’Espérance, L’Avenir, Ripailles and Nouvelle Découverte, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain information as to whether consideration will be given for a survey of the currently unused boreholes and wells thereat to be undertaken by the Water Resources Unit, in collaboration with the Geotechnical Engineering Division of the Ministry of National Infrastructure, with a view to assessing the viability thereof and establishing a decentralisation plan for the optimal use of local water sources.
Reply: I am informed that 24 boreholes have been drilled in the regions of Alma, L’Esperance, L’Avenir, Ripailles and Nouvelle Découverte. The Central Water Authority is already exploiting six boreholes for domestic water supply in Beau Bois, Bonne Veine, Malenga and Alma (nearer to Dagotière). Another six boreholes are being used for agricultural purposes while 12 boreholes are not in use due to low and insufficient yield which do not make them viable for exploitation by CWA. It is to be noted that the Water Resources Commission has awarded a contract for the drilling of another borehole at Alma in the coming months. Furthermore, for the Financial Year 2026/ 2027, it is planned to drill one borehole at L’Espérance – Quartier Militaire. The location of the proposed boreholes is identified using competency in hydrogeology available in house at the Water Resources Commission. For the geophysical survey exercise, which is the required investigation techniques for borehole drilling, same would be outsourced to a specialised firm.