Water restrictions announced

From April 24 to June 30, Barbadians will be under water prohibition, aimed at conserving the precious resource as drought-like conditions persist.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Water Resources, Santia Bradshaw, announced the measures Friday during the post-Cabinet media conference at the Barbados Water Authority’s Pine, St Michael, headquarters.

Prohibition measures:

• Use of potable water for the irrigation of gardens, lawns by hose or by sprinkler systems, is prohibited.
• The use of a hose in washing roadways, pavements, paths, garages and vehicles, is prohibited.
• The filling of supply tanks, ponds and swimming pools is not allowed.
• The washing of windows and building exteriors is not allowed during this period.
• People failing to adhere to the regulations could face a fine of $500 or one month in prison.
• These measures will be in effect from April 24, 2023 to June 30, 2023.

“We had drought conditions in 2016 and we had to take certain measures, this occurred again in 2018 and 2019, so Barbadians are familiar with an introduction of these measures,” Bradshaw said.

The Barbados Meteorological Services recently announced a drop in recorded rainfall in April and below average conditions are expected through June.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the implementation of the water conservation plan does not mean that it has reached crisis levels.

BWA general manager Keithroy Halliday said they continued to lose about 43 per cent of water to leaks and they were working to reduce this. (SAT)