Water Woes – How to prepare for the dry season!

Clear beautiful skies with no clouds in sight are usually a part of a description of an idyllic island setting, however there is one negative aspect of this scenario and it is the lack of rain.

Although our Northern neighbours are experiencing winter right now here in Jamaica we are having mostly clear weather. However we all remember the stress that was summer when there was a seemingly unending drought. Weather forecasters are once again predicting that we will be having a dry season this year.

Have a plan!

Don’t wait until the pipes start to run dry, make preparations from now to enjoy running water throughout the year.

Water is life.  However getting enough of the necessary commodity is a challenge. Some struggle with water problems throughout the year while others are only affected during the dry season.

Regardless of when you are without water, it is very inconvenient and unhygienic to do your various tasks without the valuable commodity.
So what can consumers do to ensure that they always have a water supply?

Preparation
Consumers can prepare for water shortages by identifying and cleaning containers that can be used to store water.
The best way to ensure that you will have water when the dry season begins is to invest in buying quality tanks.

These tanks can be expensive initially depending on their size, however when you have water you will no doubt appreciate their installation. A 650G plastic water tank can run consumers up to approximately $22, 795.00.
A cheaper solution to getting a tank is to use large plastic containers. Just remember if you are storing water outside it must be securely covered.

Containers have to be checked since over time they may have developed leaks.
Sometimes persons wait until water is scarce before they start to conserve, but water conservation is still very important even while it is plentiful supply.

Conservation Tips

The following are some water conservation tips:

• Always turn taps off tightly so they do not drip.
• Promptly repair any leaks in and around your taps. (One leak can waste several thousand litres of water per year.)
• When hand-washing dishes, never run water continuously. Wash dishes in a partially filled sink and then rinse them using the spray attachment on your tap.

Even as you conserve store as much clean water as you can and these conservation efforts can help reduce the strain on our water systems.

So how are you preparing for the dry season? Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online writer

Tags: dry season, water conservation, weather