Jamaicans urged to continue conserving water

Jamaicans are being urged to remain vigilant in conserving water as the country continues to be affected by a meteorological drought.

"We are pleading with citizens to be circumspect with their use of the precious commodity at this time. We're asking you to desist from watering lawns and certainly desist from washing cars for now," implored Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Matthew Samuda. He was speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House yesterday.

The minister said that there was some rebound in rainfall levels in March, with Jamaica receiving 90 per cent of the 30-year average rainfall. But he noted that "this is not necessarily evenly spread".

"The eastern section of the island had no parish receiving more than 60 per cent of its 30-year rainfall and, to note, St Thomas, Portland and Kingston started seeing reductions in 30-year rainfall from as far back as August of last year," Samuda said.