Drought to affect water supply - NWC

Debbie-Ann Wright, News Editor
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre

The National Water Commission (NWC) is moving aggressively to put in place conservation measures amid significantly low water levels at a time it usually expects its systems to be overflowing.

The NWC noted that May to June usually records the second highest period of rainfall in Jamaica, but with little rainfall so far, it seems likely the country will experience severe drought conditions.

Corporate public relations manager at the NWC, Charles Buchanan, said there might not be an ease in the situation until September/October, which is the primary rainfall period.

Buchanan said the NWC has already convened a meeting of the drought management committee and the company has also announced water restriction measures for some communities.

However, even as the NWC battles the drought conditions, the company is also concerned about the impact on revenues.

Buchanan said the company will see its costs skyrocketing, at the same time it is experiencing a decline in revenues.

The NWC is urging customers to conserve and put in place storage arrangements, to effectively cope with this potentially difficult, drier-than-normal period.

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