People of Antigua and Barbuda have been warned that if the Caribbean suffers from drought in the next three months, the country’s water difficulties would only worsen.
On Friday, the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) in Barbados issued a drought warning that might have a “negative impact on eastern Caribbean islands. ”
Several sections of the nation received above-normal rainfall in March, providing relief from the dry conditions that had afflicted the region since late 2021.
Despite this, there are concerns about long-term drought, which, according to the Caribbean Drought Bulletin released by the CIMH, might have a negative impact on key rivers and reservoirs, as well as groundwater, by the end of May.
Ambassador Lionel Hurst, Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office, stated conservation will be critical for the beleaguered Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) to satisfy consumer needs before new reverse osmosis units are built this year.
Hurst stated that while most Antiguans are aware of the drought, they expect to be able to turn on the tap and have water running through it regardless of the dry circumstances.
“Can we satisfy that expectation?” says the narrator. And the response is that it is exactly the expectation we are attempting to meet,” Hurst explained.
“It is a fair expectation,” he continues. However, we must also engage in environmental protection. To put it another way, you can’t hose out your automobile with the reverse osmosis water that’s pouring from the faucet.”
“And the question is, can we live up to that standard?” “And the response is that it is exactly the expectation we are attempting to meet,” Hurst said.
“It is a realistic expectation,” he continues. “However, we must also engage in conservation. To put it another way, you can’t hose off your automobile with reverse osmosis water that’s pouring from the faucet.”
