By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 17th June 2026) — Manager of the St. Kitts Water Services Department, Cromwell Williams (a water engineer), is urging residents to take immediate steps to conserve water and reduce unnecessary usage as the country navigates an increasingly dry period. Speaking during a national press conference hosted by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday 12th June 2026, he outlined a series of practical conservation measures. “Today I’m here to appeal to you, the water consumers, to understand what your role is in response to drought conditions,” Williams stated.
Among the key recommendations: inspect homes for leaks and have them repaired immediately; report any suspected leaks outside the home to the Water Services Department at 467-1005 or 467-1447; avoid watering lawns; use buckets rather than hoses to wash vehicles and buildings; and reuse water within homes whenever possible. On the severity of current conditions, Williams referenced rainfall data from the Meteorological Services Department: “For January to May 2026, we have received so far 8.5 inches of rainfall. Last year for the same period, we received 17.5 inches — that’s a little bit more than twice as much rainfall. The normal average for this period is 15.6 inches.” Only 1.3 millimetres of rainfall had been recorded so far in June 2026. He reminded residents that while the Basseterre desalination plant now produces 2 million gallons per day of potable water from seawater, rainfall remains the primary source of the country’s water supply at approximately 75% of total potable water. “Hope for the best, I think the saying goes, but prepare for the worst,” he said.