Tobago has been experiencing widespread water shortages over the past few months.
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said that inconsistent rainfall has led to a rapid decline in both surface and groundwater sources, warning that the island can no longer rely on these supplies as its primary water sources.
“I went and I took some photos of what is happening at the dam at King’s Bay, where my community in Speyside gets water from, and I can tell you that it’s just not enough water. That’s just the reality. And of course when we look at the management of what we do have, we have a challenge there with the leakages and all of that.”
Efforts are underway to establish a desalination plant in Charlotteville, with the Chief Secretary noting that additional facilities may be needed across the island.
In the meantime, he emphasised the importance of public awareness and the need for everyone to play their part in conserving water.
“Where we were going to homes, changing out taps, changing out fixtures in their toilet plumbing so as to save water, reduce the amount of water using with each flush, we look at tanks systems and so we’re looking now at how we can expand that project beyond what was done in Charlotteville.”
Despite the declaration of the start of the rainy season, the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Office is expecting continued dry conditions for the island for the next month.