Jamaicans urged to conserve water

Jamaicans are being encouraged to conserve on their use of water as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of drought conditions.

"I am appealing to all Jamaicans to be conservative in the use of water. We are not yet at the point where we would declare certain orders in terms of the usage of water, but we could get there," Prime Minister Holness said at a recent press conference. He announced an additional $100 million to respond to the meteorological drought that the country is experiencing. The sum is in addition to an initial $50 million to support the response measures by the Government. He encouraged consumers to, among other things, reduce the number of times they wash their cars, lessen the amount of water they use in watering lawns; and check their homes for leaks.

"If you can, start to collect whatever rainwater you can," he added. The prime minister also encouraged citizens to install water-efficient plumbing fixtures in their homes. He explained that the country is experiencing a meteorological drought, which means that the level of rainfall is very low and is affecting the supply of water.

"This is particularly the case for communities that are dependent on catchment, for example. So, rural communities are likely to be greatly affected," Holness said. He informed that the country has been recording reductions in rainfall from as early as October last year.

"In November, we had 62 per cent of our 30-year average for rainfall. In December, it declined to 47 per cent of our 30-year average for rainfall, and we are at, now in January, ... 32 per cent of the 30-year average. The figures for February are now being compiled, but the preliminary analysis is showing that we will probably be lower than 30 per cent; so, from a meteorological standpoint, from a rainfall standpoint, we are in a crisis," he said.

Eleven parishes are experiencing meteorological drought conditions, according to the Meteorological Office.