PM Mottley urges commonsense approach to water usage in current dry period

By Jenique Belgrave

As the island continues to experience drought-like conditions, consumers are urged to engage in water conservation practices.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley told the media that the public will hear from the Barbados Water Authority in the coming days on the measures.

“It is not at an acute stage but if you know me, you know I do not wait for things to reach an acute stage.

“With respect to water usage you have heard from Director of the Meteorological office Sabu Best and others that we are likely not to have a lot of rain between now and June so apply common sense, and apply you hearts to wisdom and do not do the things that you would usually do in terms of wasting water.

“If you see people in your house trying to leave on a tap while brushing their teeth, tell them to turn it off. If you are trying to take 15 to 20-minute showers, reduce it because at the end of the day if you use all that you have now, what will happen?” she added.

Over the weekend, Best issued a statement saying that the rain forecast for the coming weeks will be low with the only relief coming at the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season in June.

For April, the rainfall is predicted to be 48 per cent below the average; May, 19 per cent below average rainfall and for June 11 per cent.

“[The] latest short-term climate forecast from the BMS for rain accumulation over the next few months, up until June, is expected to be below normal. Previous forecasts of an early start to rains in May are no longer expected based on the latest predictions,” he said.

jeniquebelgrave@barbadostoday.bb