The National Water Commission (NWC) will be providing conservation strategies to customers on their monthly bills as drought conditions continue to impact the island.

This was disclosed by Minister of State in the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Ian Hayles, at a meeting of stakeholders held on Monday, January 27, at the Ministry in Kingston.

Mr. Hayles told JIS News that the meeting was aimed at providing an update on the drought conditions affecting the island, and come up with clear measures aimed at easing the water woes of citizens. The NWC strategy, he said, is just the kind of “forward thinking” that is needed to address the situation being faced by many persons.

“NWC is going to, in its regular supplement in the newspaper, advice citizens of the areas faced with drought. They’ll also be putting on the water bill, an advisory to customers for conservation and strategies that could be adopted because this is important,” he said.

Head of the Meteorological Service, Jeffery Spooner, advised that the drought conditions currently affecting the island are projected to continue until at least March. He noted that the most affected parishes are St. Thomas, St. James, Trelawny and St. Mary.

“We will definitely keep the citizens updated if there are any changes in the pattern but for now, expect to see the drought pattern hold true,” he said.

The dry season occurs annually from January to March and is the period when the island suffers from drought conditions.

By Rodger Hutchinson