8 November 2016 | Comments
WEEKEND RAINFALL NOT ENOUGH
CONNECT TO IMPOSE FURTHER RESTRICTIONS
Despite some rainfall over the weekend and last evening, water resources on St Helena remain dangerously stretched.
Connect will this week publish an Island-wide legal notice restricting the use of water for essential purposes only from Monday 14 November 2016.
This is defined as using water for drinking, cooking and personal washing only.
In addition, all Exemption Notices previously issued are now expired and no longer valid.
On Friday 4 November 2016, Island reservoirs contained 11,278 cubic metres of water – just 9.3% of the total capacity. The total reservoir capacity on St Helena is around 121,000 cubic metres.
There are other sources of water – tanks, boreholes & springs – but the reservoirs are the most significant and visible, with levels easy to measure. They are also less vulnerable to daily fluctuation.
Over the next few days we will see some of the rainfall run-off make its way to the reservoirs – but as welcome as the rain was it is nowhere near enough to get us through the summer. Until the reservoirs reach at least 50% full, we remain in a critical situation.
Regular updates on reservoir levels will be issued to the public.
In the meantime, St Helena residents, businesses and people who use water for agriculture are urged to exercise great care and restraint when using water.
If we can achieve a further 10% reduction in our consumption, the amount of water will remain at current levels. Without such a reduction, our stock will continue to dwindle.
Residents are reminded that this is an Island-wide shortage and it is everyone’s responsibility to manage the situation and to take great care in using this precious resource. If you see anyone using water irresponsibly then please inform Connect.
Leaflets and posters containing water saving tips have been distributed to local shops and public buildings and people are encouraged to pick up a leaflet to see how they can limit their water use.
Connect has received a positive response to its advertisement for temporary contract drivers – and commenced 24-hour bowser operations from today Tuesday, 8 November 2016.
St Helena Resilience Forum
8 November 2016
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