Central Water Authority

What Central Water Authority does

Central Water Authority (CWA) is a statutory body established in July 1971 under the Central Water Authority Act 20/1971 of Mauritius and is wholly owned by the Government of Mauritius, operating under the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities. It is the monopoly provider of piped potable water on the island, producing approximately 883,693 m³ of treated drinking water per day and serving 385,000 subscribers across domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and public sector segments. CWA reports achieving nearly 100% water supply coverage in Mauritius, one of the few African-region utilities to reach this threshold. Its service geography is restricted to a single jurisdiction (Mauritius), with no global footprint claimed.

CWA's core operational technology combines slow sand filters and fast gravity filters (coagulation, flocculation, sand bed filtration, chlorine disinfection) across seven water treatment plants, supplemented by 208 boreholes for groundwater, 105 service reservoirs, 160 pumping stations, and 46 containerized pressure filter stations. Source water is split 53% surface (reservoirs, lakes, rivers) and 47% groundwater. Water quality is monitored at approximately 160 sampling points, with the CWA Water Quality Laboratory holding ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation since 2012 and capable of testing microbiological, physical-chemical, nutrient, trace metal, and microalgae (up to 100 genera) parameters.

The revenue model is regulated tariff-based: domestic customers receive the first 6 m³ per billing period free, then pay Rs 6-32/m³ in tiered rates; non-domestic categories (business, industrial, agricultural, public sector) pay fixed minimum charges plus per-m³ rates; groundwater usage is separately priced (Rs 0.70-10/m³). One-time fees are charged for new connections, meter testing, transfers of name, and reconnection. Additional revenue comes from paid laboratory testing services to external clients. Distribution reaches customers through eight cash offices, an online portal (pay.cwa.mu) with QR scan-and-pay, and third-party payment partnerships with SBM, MCB, myT, Emtel, Mauritius Post, and CEB. The customer care hotline (170) and regional sub-offices handle service requests and complaints.

Name

Central Water Authority

Legal name

Central Water Authority

Website

https://cwa.govmu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Central Water Authority (CWA) is a Mauritius government-owned statutory water utility established in 1971. It treats and distributes drinking water to 385,000 subscribers across Mauritius, achieving near 100% water supply coverage through seven treatment plants and extensive island-wide distribution infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Utility Services

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Quality Monitoring, Compliance & Reporting (Sampling, Lab, Regulatory) (EUANAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Watershed/Source Water & Raw Water Quality Monitoring (intakes, reservoirs, groundwater) (EUANAJAH), Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG), Regulatory Compliance Monitoring & Reporting (SDWA/CWA/NPDES, permits, audits) (EUANAJAA)

Keywords

• Water utility services
• Drinking water supply
• Water treatment
• Water distribution
• Groundwater management

Headquarters

HQ city

Vacoas - Phoenix

HQ country

Mauritius

HQ region

Africa

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Water Supply Tariffs: CWA generates primary revenue through tiered water supply tariffs based on consumption volume. Domestic customers receive free water for first 6m³, then tiered pricing from Rs 6-32 per m³. Non-domestic customers (business, industrial, agricultural, public sector) pay fixed minimum charges plus per cubic meter rates.
2. Application and Processing Fees: Fees charged for new water supply applications (Rs 500 domestic processing, Rs 1000 non-domestic), meter testing (Rs 500 domestic, Rs 1000 non-domestic), transfer of name (Rs 200), and other administrative services.
3. Installation and Connection Fees: Installation fees for new water supply connections: Rs 2200 for domestic over and above processing fees. Shifting of main fee: Rs 2750. Reopening fees: Rs 550 (domestic meter), Rs 1750 (non-domestic).
4. Groundwater Charges: Fees for groundwater usage: Rs 5.50 per m³ for industrial purposes, Rs 10 per m³ for producing drinks, Rs 0.70 per m³ for agricultural and domestic purposes, Rs 7.70 per m³ for other uses.
5. Commercial Laboratory Services: The CWA Laboratory provides paid testing services to the public, external agents, and institutions at approved rates for water quality analysis and testing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Central Water Authority is the statutory water utility of Mauritius, responsible for the treatment and distribution of potable water to approximately 385,000 subscribers across the island. It produces 883,693 m³ of drinking water daily through seven treatment stations using slow sand filters and fast gravity filters, drawing 53% from surface sources (reservoirs, lakes, rivers) and 47% from groundwater via 208 boreholes. The authority also provides water quality monitoring, laboratory testing services, new connection applications, meter testing, and customer bill payment services.

Product overview

Central Water Authority (CWA) is Mauritius's state-owned water utility providing drinking water supply services. The organization operates as a unified service with its core product being treated drinking water distribution to 385,000 subscribers across the island. CWA's operations include water treatment (using slow sand filters and fast gravity filters at seven treatment plants), groundwater extraction (208 boreholes), water distribution infrastructure management (105 service reservoirs, 46 containerized pressure filter stations), and water quality monitoring services. The authority offers customer-facing digital services including online bill payment via pay.cwa.mu, multiple payment channel integrations (SBM Bill Pay, MCB Juice, mobile money services), and application services for new connections, meter testing, supply discontinuation/transfer, and reconnection. A planned Barcode-Based Inventory Management System integrated with Oracle ERP is under Expression of Interest for internal operations enhancement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Drinking Water Supply
• Water Treatment Services
• New Water Supply Application
• Online Bill Payment (Pay My Bills)
• Meter Testing Service
• Water Supply Discontinuation Service
• Transfer of Name
• Re-Opening of Supply
• Shifting of Main / Tapping
• Enlargement of Tapping
• Groundwater Supply
• Water Quality Monitoring and Laboratory Testing

Quantifiable outcome

• 883,693 m³ of drinking water produced daily
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMCB provides bill payment services through MCB Juice (mobile banking) and MCB Internet Banking, allowing CWA customers to pay water bills electronically.
• SBM GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSBM Bill Pay enables CWA customers to pay water bills through SBM ATMs, providing additional payment channel accessibility.
• myT Mobile MoneyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMobile money payment service enabling CWA customers to pay water bills via mobile phone.
• Emtel Mobile CashminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMobile payment service allowing Emtel customers to pay CWA water bills through their mobile device.
• Mauritius PostcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPost offices across Mauritius serve as bill payment locations, providing widespread physical access for CWA customers to pay water bills.
• Central Electricity Board (CEB)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCEB offices at La Mivoie, Helvetia, and Bramsthan serve as additional bill payment locations for CWA customers.
• Banks (Direct Debit)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCustomers can register with their banks for direct debit payments, enabling automatic monthly water bill settlement.
• Ministry of Health and WellnesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of Health and Wellness is the enforcing agent for drinking water under the Environment Protection Act, ensuring CWA water meets WHO standards. Collaborative oversight of water quality standards.
• Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities / Water Resources CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Resources Commission oversees water resources administration. Ministry provides policy direction for CWA as a parastatal body under this ministry.
• University of MauritiusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with CWA on research and water protection initiatives, contributing to scientific knowledge and water management practices.
• Ministry of Environment and Sustainable DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on environmental protection initiatives including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Preliminary Environmental Reports (PER), and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Curaçao Water (Aquautor): Curaçao's water utility providing potable water to the island. Comparable as a small Caribbean island water utility with concentrated infrastructure, similar climate vulnerability (Caribbean hurricane belt), and limited geographic diversification.
• National Water Commission (NWC) Jamaica: Jamaica's national water utility providing potable water across the island under statutory mandate. Comparable as a Caribbean national water utility with similar geographic concentration in a small island economy, government ownership, and regulatory constraints on tariffs.
• Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago's national water and wastewater authority. Comparable as a Caribbean SIDS water utility with similar statutory structure, government ownership, and challenges around infrastructure modernization, non-revenue water, and tariff sufficiency.
• Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company: Kenya's primary urban water utility serving Nairobi. Comparable as an African water utility providing potable water and wastewater services under government oversight, with similar challenges around non-revenue water, tariff sufficiency, and infrastructure capacity constraints.

Direct peers

• Rand Water: South Africa's largest water utility, providing bulk potable water to Gauteng and surrounding provinces. Comparable as a statutory water utility with large-scale treatment infrastructure, multi-source water portfolio, and government oversight of tariffs and operations.
• Manila Water Company: Philippine water utility providing potable water and wastewater services to Metro Manila's east zone. Comparable as a regulated water utility operating treatment and distribution infrastructure under a concession framework, with similar tariff regulation and universal service obligations.
• Public Utilities Board (PUB): Singapore's national water agency operating as a statutory board under the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment. Directly comparable to CWA as a government-mandated water utility providing potable water supply, water quality monitoring, and integrated water resources management for the entire national territory.
• Water Authority of Fiji (WAF): Fiji's national water and wastewater utility, a statutory body providing water supply services to the Fijian population. Highly comparable to CWA as a small island developing state water utility with universal service mandate and similar geographic concentration risk.

Broad incumbents

• Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions: Global water services operator providing water treatment, distribution, and management services worldwide, including operating municipal water utilities under concession. Comparable as a broad water industry incumbent that competes for water utility operation contracts in markets globally.
• American Water Works Company: Largest publicly traded US water and wastewater utility, serving over 14 million people across 14 states. Comparable as a regulated water utility with extensive treatment and distribution infrastructure, though operates across multiple jurisdictions rather than a single national territory like CWA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-water-authority

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Central Water Authority