CWSA systems fully restored but rationing in place

The Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) systems have been 100 per cent restored, but a system of rationing has been put in place as of April 22.

And, consumers have been asked to help in the conservation of the precious commodity as river flows are low while demand for potable water is high, a bulletin from the Authority said.

It was explained that the rationale is to turn off water at night to allow the capacity to build, which will enable people especially at higher elevations, to obtain a supply in their taps.

The bulletin posted to the CWSA’s Facebook page Thursday evening, listed a number of communities that would start the rationing processs; these areas are fed by the Dalaway system and the Montreal system.

Speaking on radio, Chief Executive Officer of the CWSA, Garth Saunders said then that 95% of consumers had water in their taps.

“We need to sensitize the public,” Saunders said on NBC Radio on Wednesday morning as he asked consumers not to to let down their guard and become wasteful in the use of water.

Saunders also cautioned that rainfall can cause mudflows which can send mud into the CWSA’s system, and if that happens, it means there is a likelihood they will have to shut the system down.  

The Atlantic Hurricane season begins on June 1 and runs through November and, with the ash deposited by the volcano, mudflows are very possible whenever heavy rain is experienced.  

“Conserve water and continue to fill all tanks that are coming into the island,” Saunders said, while asking Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves to have the various vessels available to the country on standby in case the water supply becomes depleted.  

The CEO also noted that because of the movement of people from the red and orange zones into the designated green zone, there is stress on certain systems, so the storage plants now have less water than under normal situations.  

He said the water level in the main tanks drops every day and has to be replenished, but because of the volume of water being used, the tanks are not filling back as normal.  

The bulletin issued by the CWSA on Thursday, advised customers on the Dalaway System that their supply will be subject to nightly disruptions from 10 p.m. to 5.30 a.m.
 
Areas on the Dalaway System are: Vermont Village, Francois, Retreat, Queensbury, Dubois, New Penniston, Twenty Hill, Rilland Hill, Chauncey, Top Questelles, Central Kingstown Business District and Paul’s Avenue.  

Customers on the Montreal System will have disruptions from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Montreal serves Simon, Richland Park, Hopewell, Glenside, Sayers, Ginger Village, Evesham, Carriere, La Croix, Belmont, Pomsette, Upper Calder, Calder Ridge, Southwood, Carapan and McCarthy.