Drought Triggers Water Rationing In St. Vincent

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent CMC – The Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) has introduced water rationing in one section of the island, as the severe drought continues to affect St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The water utility company has warned that it may be forced to expand its rationing exercise to the entire island if the present weather conditions continue.

The CWSA said the continuing lack of rainfall has resulted in a further decrease in the inflow from the rivers at its Dalaway, Majorca and Montreal intakes.

“Production at these three systems is now estimated to be below 50 percent, with the worst affected being the Montreal system that supplies mainly the Marriaqua valley, Belmont and some areas in the south-east of the island,” the CSWA said.

The state-owned company further said that during the past five weeks, its technical staff has been trying to avert the need for rationing the supply by closely monitoring and managing these three systems.

“However, given the forecast of relatively low rainfall amounts throughout the region, in the foreseeable future, the CWSA has now arrived at the situation where the water supply from the Montreal system, in the first instance, will have to be restricted.

“Additionally, because of the reduced supply from the Majorca and Dalaway systems, it is also expected that residents at higher elevations in and around Kingstown and its environs, and including upper Ratho-Mill may also experience short periodic interruptions during the daily peak hours of 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (local time).”

The CWSA said it would continue to keep the public informed by issuing periodic if not daily notices via the electronic and social media, giving details of the planned interruptions, including, the affected areas and the times and durations of the interruptions.

The company further urged the public to observe strict water conservation measures by eliminating wastage at public facilities, reporting leaks and limiting water use to only priority household activities.