Update on Water Situation
As many locals are aware, Bermuda is suffering through a water shortage that has impacted the ability to have water delivered. Rainfall to date is approximately 8 inches below normal, and the decrease has caused a high demand for water and with it, restricted hours at the Government water trucker outlets. Approximately 4.7 million gallons of water are consumed in Bermuda every day, of which approximately 60% [2.8 million gallons per day] can be supplied by rainwater catchments, with the balance having to be met by other sources.
Minister of Works and Engineering Derrick Burgess said that Government is working with the Bermuda Water Truckers’ Association to help get through this “challenging time”, and that special measures are being taken to assist those living in the East End who have been hardest hit. He also called on churches and businesses to assist, saying “These facilities generally have larger water tanks and generally use only a small portion of the stored water.” The Minister went on to say that Bishop Vernon Lamb of First Church of God, North Shore has stepped up, with the church planning to provide water for its members where possible.
Below is yesterday’s [June 29] full statement from Minister of Works and Engineering Derrick Burgess:
Good afternoon and thank you for your attendance at this very important press conference. I say ‘very important’ as there are few matters that concern Bermudians as much as their ability to access potable water at all times. When there is low rainfall, then concern automatically heightens, hence the current situation.
I am extremely pleased and gratified to note the attendance of Mr. Russ Ford of the Bermuda Water Truckers’ Association. Let me at this juncture express gratitude to Mr. Ford and his fellow owners and operators of water trucks who have been working closely with Government as we move through what all recognize to be a particularly challenging time.
The Government of Bermuda is, of course, committed towards ensuring the availability of sufficient amounts of drinking water and water for other household purposes. However, the shortfall in rain to date, Bermuda’s primary source of potable water, has been significant enough to create an extremely high demand for water over the last few months. This situation has led to restricted hours at the truckers’ outlets and limitations for piped customers which have been implemented to allow consistent daily access to water while ensuring that customers like the King Edward Memorial VII Hospital, Cedar Park and Mary Victoria Estates, which are solely reliant on the piped water supply, receive water.
We recognize that individual households have been inconvenienced as a result of their inability to receive water as quickly as they would wish, principally because the water truckers are unable to access the amount of water that they require and when they require it. We ask for the public’s patience and understanding in this regard.
Perhaps you will be amazed to learn that approximately 4.7 million gallons of water are consumed throughout Bermuda every day.
Approximately 60% of Bermuda’s water needs [2.8 million gallons per day] can be supplied by rainwater catchments. The balance has to be met by other sources.
There will be some relief when the capacity of the Tynes Bay Reverse Osmosis [RO] Plant is increased from 500,000 gallons per day to one million per day later this year. I same some relief as the Government’s current total RO capacity is 1,090,000 gallons per day, increasing to 1,590,000 gallons per day. It will be seen that this is still far short of the 4.7 million gallons that our community consumes per day. This fact again emphasizes the critical importance of rainfall to meet the Island’s water needs.
There has been some expression of concern that there will be contamination of the water produced by the RO plants should oil gushing from the BP pipe in the Gulf of Mexico reach Bermuda. I wish to allay the public’s concern in that regard by explaining that our seawater is drawn from deep bore wells which use natural rock as initial filters. In the unlikely event that any oil reaches our shores, it will be on the surface and will not be drawn into the RO plants.
Let me share with you a number of water management and conservation tips that have been suggested by the Bermuda Water Truckers Association, tips that we at the Ministry strongly support:
Water Management Tips
* Check tank levels – allow for 3-5 days wait. Don’t create an emergency. Be proactive. “Poor planning on customer’s part does not constitute an emergency on the dealer’s part”.
* Arrange to have a standing order to avoid going empty.
* Have plumbing checked for leaking taps, toilets, etc.
* Check roof for blocked gutters
* Have tank checked for cracks.Water Conservation Tips
* Avoid washing vehicles. If necessary, use bucket rather than hose
* Avoid watering lawn if possible.
* Turn off water when cleaning teeth or washing face at sink.
* Save bath and dish water to flush.
* Avoid long showers.
* Go to laundromat instead of washing at home.
* Don’t wash partial loads of clothes. Wash when a full load is ready
* Try to do at least one thing each day that will result in a savings of water.I wish to thank the Bermuda Water Truckers Association for this excellent contribution.
The eastern parishes in particular have been struggling due to limited water resources in this area. In conjunction with the Bermuda Land Development Corporation, the containerized RO plant will be moved to St. George’s with the intent of increasing supply to the BLDC system. Water produced from this RO plant will be allocated to the water truckers’ outlet currently operated by BLDC. This change should provide relief to residents in the eastern area of the Island.
We are calling upon churches and businesses at this time to assist. These facilities generally have larger water tanks and generally use only a small portion of the stored water. In this regard, we are pleased to note that only this morning Mr. Kelly Harris, Principal Civil Engineer, Water and Sewage, met with Bishop Vernon Lamb of First Church of God, North Shore who advised regarding the amount of water available from the church’s sources. It was agreed that the church would provide water for its members where possible. We applaud this initiative and express the hope that other churches in the community will provide water, if available, to their members during this challenging period. We also hope that businesses will follow this example by making water available to their staffs.
It must be noted that any water taken from non-traditional sources like churches and businesses must be tested by the Health Department prior to wider distribution to church members and staffs. Churches and businesses should consult the Department of Health for advice in this regard.
As highlighted by the Bermuda Water Truckers’ Association last week, this is a tripartite partnership between the Government, water truckers and the public. We must all play our part to ensure that we manage through this dry period.
I wish to conclude by reiterating that with all parties working together, we can ensure that there is adequate potable water for all residents and visitors.
Thank you.
