Bermuda is facing drought conditions, with less than half the average rainfall recorded in the first five months of the year.
Michael Weeks, Minister of Public Works, urged the public to conserve more water as the dry spell continues.
Mr Weeks told a press conference on April 30: “As of today, the average year-to-date rainfall would usually be around 18.41 inches.
“However, Bermuda has only recorded a mere 8.61 inches — nearly a 10 inch deficit just four months into the year.
“In fact we are well behind on average annual rainfall for the past few years.
“In 2010 we were 10.6 inches below average, while last year we were 16.3 inches below average.”
More than a third of Bermuda’s water, 41 per cent, comes from rain. The rest of sourced from treated sea and groundwater.
The Tynes Bay seawater RO plant produces 600,000 gallons a day, the St George’s RO plant produces 130,000 gallons a day, and the Tudor Hill plant (Port Royal) produces 40 gallons per minute — a maximum 50,000 gallons a day.
Supplies
Mr Weeks said: “We can run all of our Reverse Osmosis plants at full steam, but (we) still rely very much on rainfall for our daily water needs.
“Today I wanted to take a few minutes to remind the public that our fresh water resources are very
precious — and that we should only use what we absolutely need.
“Therefore, to ensure you have adequate supplies to carry you through this current drought, please check your tank levels often, particularly in periods when rain is not plentiful.
“If your tank level is low, conserve water and if you need to buy water please do not order more than you need — it will rain again one day.
“Be sure to order water before you run out as it may take several days for a trucker to get to you.
“Please don’t wait until the last minute as this only places additional strain on our infrastructure.
“It is best you order the water five to seven days in advance as the water truckers are working very hard to ensure all of their clients’ needs are met.
“Use your water supply wisely and remember that every drop saved helps maintain Bermuda’s water table.
“Access to clean, potable water is becoming an increasing problem worldwide.
“We in Bermuda are perhaps too complacent at times and believe that we will always have water when we need it as we have always had it in the past.
“I would like to thank the Water section within the Ministry of Public Works who continue to work tirelessly to ensure our RO plants are running at capacity — therefore, I am asking the public to do their part to conserve.”
Mr Weeks also announced that the St George’s Reverse Osmosis plant is to be moved to the Government quarry at Bailey’s Bay.
The RO plant will become operational at the end of the year and will produce 100,000 gallons per day.