When you grow up in a parish where the availability of public water supply is so unpredictable you are forced to improvise, you get more than adequate preparation for the water shortage being experienced in the corporate area now. Admittedly, I experienced a little culture shock when I first came to the capital and saw how persons wasted water. Gallons went down the drain while 'town people' brushed their teeth, and even more went to waste during a shower.

Back then, I wished these people could get a taste of life in Manchester. The water situation in Manchester left one lesson with me: always have at least 20 gallons of water stored in case there is a temporary lock-off.

Time for tanks

I know no one in authority will pay attention to my suggestion, (solving problems for the long term is alien to our authorities), but I think that, given the certainty of natural disasters like hurricanes and drought in our island, the time has come for them to alter building codes. Building permits should not be granted for commercial buildings and apartment/townhouse complexes, unless the plans include solar water heating systems and water storage tanks. Forget start-up costs and think on long-term savings. We need to stop behaving like we all have oil fields in our gardens and reserve power supplies in our backyards.

Until that happens, it is a good idea for householders to invest in one or two of those large black plastic water tanks. I gather there is a way to attach them to the pipes in the house. And, if you are a paying customer of the National Water Commission, you can call them to come and fill the tanks without additional cost. That is what we do in Chudleigh and other parts of Manchester where water comes into the pipes roughly once or twice a week.

Here are some of the conservation methods that you can try.

1. Couples should bathe or shower together.

2. Use disposable utensils like plates, cups, knives, forks etc., and use paper towels in the kitchen instead of dishcloths.

3. Use bath water for flushing toilets and wiping floors, and the water from washing dishes to water plants.

4. Use wet wipes instead of washing hands whenever possible.

5. When the water comes back, into the pipes, fill your washing machine, then use it over the next two days for various things.

6. Stock up on hand sanitisers and at work, avoid the many trips to the bathroom. If you have to go, avoid doing number two, be thoughtful of the others who have to use the public convenience.

7. Buy bottled water for drinking, cooking and other uses in the kitchen.

8. Cook the week's meal on Sundays, store in individual freezer containers that can be re-heated in the microwave, then serve on paper plates. Or, if you don't like food that is refrigerated, start a cooking pool where friends in a group decide who will cook each day of the week.

9. Don't wait for a dry spell; always catch water when it rains and store this to water the plants or wash the car.

10. Use only a glass of water to brush teeth.

11. If you have no water problem, offer to put your friends' clothes in the washer with yours.

12. If you are sceptical about using a public laundromat, take along some disinfectant.

13. With the Christmas season here, many persons will be washing curtains and bed linens, take these to the laundromat instead.

14. Drink coconut water instead of bottled water.

15. If you turn taps on to check if water has returned, remember to turn them back OFF!

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com

Remember to turn off the tap after checking if water has returned; the last thing you need is a flooded house.