It still has not rained. It is still dry and hot and brown. Clouds have been collecting over the Blue Mountains most days, but the water never falls. And the haze of dust does not leave the city, ever. The dust is now infiltrating my apartment. It covers everything, even though I wipe everything down every day. And it is just a little harder to breathe some days. These are just minor inconveniences for me, but for some people, it is a matter of survival.
For farmers and business owners (car washes, for example), the drought is a serious source of stress.
Last evening, Robert Pickersgill, Minister of Land, Water, Environment and Climate Change addressed the nation. He told us that the National Water Commission has sent 40 trucks to the hardest-hit areas (Clarendon and St. Elizabeth) and that all leaks are to be reported and fixed.
“I am imploring all members of the public to report all leaks, and I have given instructions to the NWC to establish two leak hotlines, as well as text-messaging services,” Pickersgill said.
The minister stressed that a prohibition notice announced earlier this month, which makes it illegal for persons to waste water, or to use excessive amounts of NWC-supplied water in drought-affected areas, remained in effect.
Pickersgill noted that the El Niño weather phenomenon currently affecting the island was projected to continue and “will result in no significant increase of rainfall, even during the next rainy season, which is from October to November”.
Better late than never, I guess. For months and months, a fire hydrant was leaking on my street, to the point that it has caused erosion and three large potholes. After many, many calls to the fire department and the National Water Commission, a neighbour was able to get them to fix the leak. But imagine how many thousands of gallons of water were wasted. And imagine that this is going on all over Kingston, right now. I see leaks all the time when I go running, I guess I can report them now, thanks to this hotline. Hopefully other people will take this opportunity as well, and hopefully the rain will start to fall, although apparently this year’s El Nino effect will prevent any substantial precipitation.
Jamaican Journal 
We have had summers where rain has been missing for far too long and water bans are put in place. Yet there are always those few people who still find it necessary to water their driveway. Water shortages must be taken seriously, because one day it will be far far worse.
A friend of mine lives beside the National Water Commission. She saw them watering a new garden yesterday. The government needs to set the example.
It’s amazing now they have a hotline and are so anxious about leaks. This should have been a priority (along with water theft, maintenance of reservoirs etc) decades ago! At least the NWC has woken up now, but it almost seems too late… You should report all those leaks you see though Kate!
Yes, I will report them.
Wish I could divert our daily thunderstorms to you for a while!
As a drought – stricken Kingstonian I consciously conserve water. It is very disheartening to see gushes of purified potable water flowing from busted pipes for days on end. I don’t belive the bottleneck lies Iin the reporting of leaks and I really hope there will be a visible change in the response to reports.
Yes, I always hate to see the water just flowing nowhere. I agree, the hotline may not solve the problem, it is probably more of a question of resources to fix the leaks.
We need to embrace conservation as a nation. Engrain it into the culture of civil serice and homeowners alike. I suspect we shall have to start with children. #changethefuture
I agree, it starts early, creating habits and awareness. It begins with not throwing the empty plastic bottle out the window, and waiting until you see a trash can.