KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Water Commission (NWC) is blaming theft by several individuals, including water truckers, for its inability to deliver water to some customers as the drought conditions worsen.

The company said unscrupulous people with pumps — some farmers, residents and legitimate water truckers — have been tapping into the NWC pipe network.

Vice President of operations, Mark Blair, said the practice is especially noticeable in Westmoreland. “Water truck operators in Negril and some other areas in the west have been illegally filling their trucks at fire hydrants in the town, in the process draining water from the network, reducing the water pressure and creating havoc with the hydraulics of the system.”

Blair said the drought, compounded by the theft, has more than halved the approximately seven million gallons of water per day that would be supplied to customers in that area.

He added that even with scheduled restrictions to ensure everyone gets supply for some time, the stolen water from hydrants and the like drains the system which affects the water pressure and NWC’s ability to supply some customers.

Blake warned that the NWC would be asking the police to assist in ensuring that its operations are not tampered with.