BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AS water rationing continues on St. Kitts, the Water Department would not be coming down hard on those who provide car washing services.
This announcement came from Water Services Manager Dennison Paul, who told SKNVibes that his Department does not have a problem with those service providers since they were urged to use pressure type hoses.
He explained that those types of hoses use less water and as such there is no reason for concern.
“The other issue is that many of them use buckets and we have no problem. We are saying that you can wash your cars so that you wouldn’t use a general hose and have water running for long periods.”
A recent visit by this media house saw a number of cars being washed at a particular service provider, where staff members were seen using buckets to undertake their tasks.
Paul reminded the public that they could wash their vehicles but they must be cognizant of not leaving their taps on for the water to overflow the containers and result in wastage.
“You can wash your car but we prefer that you use a bucket.”
Since the drought-like conditions started to affect St. Kitts and Nevis over the last 12 months, the Department instituted a period of rationing to minimize water wastage and protect the life saving commodity, which was at critical levels.
Certain sections of the islands experienced decreased levels, while others saw their water supply being turned off completely in the evening hours.
Locks were placed on several taps around the country, while residents and citizens were urged not to wash vehicles, water plants and engage in washing their houses.
When asked if his agency will be looking to close taps with the current rationing in place, Paul pointed out that it depends on the area consideration, while others would be left open to service senior citizens who do not have water connected to their home.
“We don’t want there to be a problem where the old lady or the old gentleman who have no running water would have to walk for too long a distance to get water. If there is abuse, we will try to talk with the abusers.”
The water manager did inform that easing of the water rationing is under consideration for the Music Festival period next month, but the outlook for the remainder of the year is mixed.
He said it was forecast that there would be rainfall for the remainder of this month and the following one but a dry spell is expected to return.
He however stated that the latter part of the year would see a return of normal rainfall which would be a welcome boost for a number of sectors that have been affected.
It was recently announced that the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association is affected by the prolonged dry spell, as the field of their major playing venue - Warner Park Football Stadium - is in a state of repairs.
All remaining matches in the season were shifted to the Kim Collins Athletics Stadium as they seek to repair the venue.
