Unfortunately for us here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we have now arrived at the middle
of the dry season where the CARIBBEAN CLIMATE OUTLOOK FORUM has declared four
Caribbean countries to be experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions; these are the
Bahamas, French Guiana, Suriname and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Soon to be added to this list are; Barbados, Belize, Eastern Cuba, Martinique, St. Lucia and
Trinidad and Tobago.
The reason for this designation is primarily due to the significant reduction in rainfall accumulation in these countries since October last year (2019).
In SVG, for the six-month period since October last year, the CWSA has recorded the lowest rainfall accumulation in over a decade, at three of its major sources: Montreal, Majorca and Dalaway, which together supply 70% of our potable water. At these three sources, rainfall
totals are now at 30% below the ten-year average.
In the 2018-2019 period, CWSA recorded an average of 84 inches of rainfall between the October and March period, this 2019-2020 six-month period shows a drop from 84 to 55 inches of rainfall at these sources.
The situation is virtually the same for the first three (3) months of 2020, where we rainfall totals
are now at 25% below the ten-year average.
Additionally, last year at Montreal we received a total of 27 inches of rain for the first 3 months while this year, the corresponding figure is 19 inches. Similarly, at Dalaway, the first quarter
figures totaled 27 inches in 2019, this year that amount is now at just 20 inches.
Because RAINFALL is directly related to river flow and consequently to the water available for distribution by the CWSA, all of this means that we have now arrived at a crisis situation in
terms of our water supply, where very strict measures are now required to ensure that water
can be supplied to EVERY AREA OF SVG ON A DAILY BASIS.
Additionally, and unfortunately, the prediction for the next two months is not good and there is a likelihood that the situation can worsen.
Measures
Fortunately, the CWSA has, over the past months, been monitoring its supplies with a view to reducing the inconveniences to the public during this otherwise critical period in our overall public health situation. In order to maintain an adequate daily supply, the CWSA will increase
its focus on the following measures
Inter-linking of systems at varying hours where deficiencies in one system can be bolstered by a supply from another.
Locking down of schools that are on vacation to reduce wastage, all in concert with the Ministry of Education.
Closer monitoring of storage tanks and intakes using both remote and direct means.
Implementing a system of water rationing from South Leeward through Kingstown to East St. George.
Of particular interest would be the higher areas in these zones, especially the marginal areas such as Green Hill, Bowood and Upper Largo Heights.
In the first instance, service interruptions will be restricted to nights, however very soon
thereafter; shutdowns make have to occur during specified daytime hours.
The CWSA will be communicating this rationing schedule to the public on radio and on its Facebook page. It is expected that regular updates will be required, including updating any expansion of the rationed areas.
This also means that Consumers will be expected to IMMEDIATELY ACTIVATE their hurricane preparedness plans in terms of at-home storage. This will require that excess water be stored when it is available to cater for periods of outage.
The CWSA will also be demanding STRICT water conservation measures to be observed:
including no washing of vehicles, watering of lawns & plants and power-washing.
The CWSA also expects the assistance of the public in terms of reporting leaks and incidents of abuse and wastage.
CWSA has also diverted the selling of water to marine vessels to Barrouallie and Walliabou to reduce the demand on the Dalaway system.
