By Mark DaCosta- Earlier this month the government of Guyana stridently repeated appeals for Guyanese to conserve water. Currently, the entire country is experiencing dry weather conditions caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon. The lack of rainfall is being compounded by unusually high temperatures that may be due to climate change. The high temperature is accelerating the rate at which surface water is evaporating. This water is not being replenished because of the lack of normal rainfall.
In early October, President Irfaan Ali said, “What we have seen as a result of the prolonged dry season, the extremely dry season, is that a lot of people are also going to pipe water for gardens, for farming, for agriculture. They are going to pipe water also for construction purposes.”
Such practices, President Ali explained, are adding high burdens to a system that is already low on water. “So, I wanted to ask members of communities to be careful of the consumption of water and to minimise wastage. Ensure that you turn the taps off because the period that we are going through is one that is excessively dry, the phenomenon is bringing serious stress,” the Head of State said.
The effect of dry El Niño weather is being felt on Guyana’s coastal areas as well as in hinterland regions. In fact, the entire country is being affected along with other neighbouring territories, meteorologists say.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Shaik Baksh underscored President Ali’s appeal.
The CEO made a statement to the media at GWI’s headquarters. He said, “We want to appeal to residents to be more prudent and cautious in the use of water during this period so that everyone could enjoy an adequate level of service.”
The CEO, during his briefing, gave Guyanese a detailed breakdown of how the dry weather condition is affecting all the regions. He said that to mitigate the situation, GWI will be drilling wells in all hinterland communities — 40 are being drilled this year — and there are plans to drill about 50 to 60 next year.
Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha also commented on the matter. He revealed that fresh water is being conserved to assist farmers.
Mustapha said: “We are working together to monitor the situation. We are trying to maximise the [efficient] use of water… I am hoping that with the plan we have, we will not run out of freshwater.”
Meteorologists explain that the El Niño weather condition refers to a cyclical warm climate period that affects tropical regions of the world such as Guyana.
El Niño occurs on average, about every two to seven years. Each episode of dry weather usually lasts for up to a year. It is a naturally occurring climate pattern caused by the warming of the ocean’s surface in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
Honest Guyanese will recognise and acknowledge that weather and other advisories are often ignored until we begin to feel the consequences. In this case, consequences could – logically – include mandatory water rationing if the situation worsens – although the government has not yet alluded to this possibility. As such, Guyanese may be well advised to heed calls for conservation of water, and the responsible use of this vital resource.
In part II of this series of articles, specific recommendations will be articulated regarding how Guyanese can conserve water at this critical juncture.
