Water prohibition takes effect Friday, offenders to face court
ACTING CORPORATE public relations manager at the National Water Commission (NWC), Delano Williams, is warning that the company will take strong action against persons who defy a prohibition order issued yesterday to dissuade persons from using potable water for non-essential purposes.
The prohibition order, which takes effect on May 26, 2023, makes it unlawful for persons in droughtstricken areas to use potable water for watering gardens, lawns, grounds and farms, as well as the washing of vehicles by the use of a hose, among other things.
With worrying deteriorating levels of water at both the Mona Reservoir and the Hermitage Dam, Williams is urging Jamaicans to comply with the restrictions that take effect on Friday.
A breach of the prohibition order is punishable by a fine imposed by the parish courts upon conviction or imprisonment for up to a month, if the fine is not paid.
He reported that the Hermitage Dam has 146 million gallons of water or 37.12 per cent of its capacity. At the same time the Mona Reservoir has 32.2 per cent of its capacity or 260.7 million gallons.
Williams told The Gleaner yesterday that both systems have an average 30-day supply of water that is available.
TRYING TO KEEP A BALANCE
He explained that the NWC has been trying to keep a balance by matching inflows with outflows so that the levels do not fall any further.
However, he warned that if consumers waste water by using it for non-essential purposes it could decline to critical levels.
While the Corporate Area has been under a 12-hour per day restriction in terms of water supply, Williams said the NWC has been trying not to extend any kind of regulation to St Catherine.
He noted, however, that the NWC is trying to keep the 12-hour water supply to customers in the Corporate Area for as long as it can.
“We know it is getting warmer, but we now have to restrict what persons do with the water and so we are staying focus on the essential use of the water. Focus on the very vital domestic items. Focus on what is critical and use the water so we can conserve water that you may have been using for non-essential purposes and keep that in our reservoir and our dam for the days that are ahead of us,” he added.
Williams said failure to comply with the prohibition notice would force the NWC to take offenders to court.
“We are r amping up the prosecution arm of it. Persons feel that they are going to get away with these activities so once we catch you we are going to prosecute you.”
He said the NWC will be asking its valued customers and members of the public to provide reports to the company in instances where persons are found to be using potable water in violation of the prohibition notice.