The rainy season has not brought any relief with drought conditions for the National Water and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA), as four water systems continue to record an over 50% reduction in water intake.
The harshness of an extended dry season in the midst of what should be the hurricane or
rainy season is proving to be a major challenge for the Authority, with significantly reduced water supply entering the dams, testing the ability to provide a consistent supply and forcing the reinstituting of valve regulation.
“For now, it’s as though we are in the dry season once again” says Ernest Bruno, Asst.
Manager of the Transmission and Distribution Department, “as everyone can see, the rainfall has almost stopped.
It means that our source is very depleted and as a result we are trying to
equitably distribute water; in the best way possible”.
Mr. Bruno asserts that “what we don’t want, is for one set of customers to have water seven day a week, while others complain of not having water for extended periods”.
As a direct result, four of the Authority’s water systems; Les Avocat, Annandale, Mardigras and Bon Accord are under regulation. The Les Avocat dam is hardest hit recording a reduction in intake of more than 50%.
Junior Morain, Plant Supervisor in the Production and Quality Department explains that the dam has a production capacity of three hundred thousand (300,000) gallons per day but with diminishing rainfall, that has dropped significantly to approximately one hundred and ninety (190,000). “So, unless we get some rains in the coming weeks, the challenge will become much stiffer” he says.
The Caribbean Climate Outlook bulletin September to November, identifies Grenada as
among countries in the region where long term drought might possibly develop, consumers are again being encouraged to invest in some form of storage and conserve as much as possible. “Customers have to know that they too have to assist us; so, the various conservation methods must be used. As I said before, this is like the dry season”, says Mr. Bruno.
Consumers are reminded of the Authority’s continued calls to have water stored to last at
least 3 days, representing 35 gallons of water, per person, per day.
The Authority continues to monitor ALL water systems and their capacity to meet demand
and will keep affected consumers fully aware of their supply status as information becomes available.
It is worth noting that although there may be spells of heavy rainfall during a given month, these tend to be few and easily overshadowed by longer periods of dry spells.
The Caribbean Drought Outlook notes that the September to October peak of the Caribbean Heat Season, which runs from May to October, is likely to see a marked increase in heatwaves and the associated heat stress. Drought impacts in currently affected areas are generally expected to decrease towards November.
Meanwhile, the Authority is ensuring that mechanisms are in place to service customers who are affected for extended periods. Mr. Bruno explains that “in areas where the water does not reach during valve regulation, or when water is pressed to that area, we always try to use our truck to come in and supply our customers”.
In addition to delivery by water truck, the Authority installed a number of storage tanks at
various locations during the last dry season, in an effort to ensure consumers have ready
access to water. Mr. Bruno explains that these will be filled and made available for use by
affected consumers. “At NAWASA we always look forward and we hope for the best but we
prepare for the worst. During the dry period, we installed tanks and what we will do is we will continue to fill these tanks and ask customers to use it wisely” he says.
