Critically low water storage levels have forced the Water and Sewerage Corporation to advise consumers on New Providence to restrict water use to essential tasks only until water reserves are restored.
Low water pressure levels are affecting distribution through the island and have left hundreds of consumers without regular water supplies since last week.
The advice from the corporation is that outdoor tasks like washing cars and watering gardens and lawns should be restricted for the time being until, reserve levels can be restored.
“We’re targeting our customers and they are being advised that they should discontinue excessive use of water until further notice,” the corporation’s Public Relations Manager Visna Armbrister told the Bahama Journal.
Until water reserves are returned to their normal levels, the corporation plans to ensure that adequate supplies are provided in the mornings and evenings. But there will be temporary cutbacks during the middle of the day and at nights.
The Corporation will monitor the system daily, Ms Armbrister said. The situation focused further attention on the campaign for water conservation.
Meteorologist Doug Pinder said the Bahamas is currently in the middle of a dry season, which is expected to last at least until the end of May. He said over the last 30 years, the average rainfall for the month of April has been 2.73 inches – an “all time low.”
Some years are worse than others, he added.
The Hurricane or wet season begins on June 1. Mr. Pinder said those water reserve levels should rise as soon as the dry season is over.
Running water has become a precious commodity on the island, with some consumers looking for ways to reduce and reuse the water they do have.
Almost 27 percent of all water used inside a home goes down the toilet, and that is where consumers can conserve the most, according to officials. A typical toilet will use four gallons of water per flush.
However, car wash operators on the island say the water restriction is not likely to affect them, as they do not rely on city water for their operations.
Owner of the Sweet Scent car wash, Valentino Delancy said his company uses a hand pump, so the restriction will not cripple his operations.
“Because we worked with a hand pump all the years before we had free water for the building, so if that were to happen, we’d just run to the pump,” he said.
Owner of Backyard Car Wash, Ira Storr said his company does not use city water. “I have a well. And so far business is stable. Through the week it isn’t busy like that, so we balance out,” he said. “However, the restriction will affect the guys who are using city water.”
By Rogan M. Smith, The Bahama Journal
