KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Water Commission (NWC) says the Mona Reservoir and Hermitage dam are down to 26 per cent and 36 per cent of their capacities, respectively, as drought conditions worsen.

NWC’s Corporate Public Relations Manager Charles Buchanan gave OBSERVER ONLINE an update a short while ago.

Buchanan said a number of steps have been taken and are still being instilled.

He said NWC has put in place nightly restrictions and encourages conservation during the drought to minimize waste.

Yesterday, NWC announced that a number of restrictions for its customers across the island that will take effect on May 24.

NWC, in an advertisement placed in the Jamaica Observer, said a deficiency in the supply of water owing to drought affecting sections of the island has forced the entity to employ more stringent water conservation measures.

NWC is prohibiting islandwide: irrigation and watering of gardens, lawns, grounds and farms; refilling or supplying of tanks, ponds, or swimming pools and/or for use other than normal domestic services such as drinking, cooking, washing, bathing and sanitation; washing of vehicles by use of a hose; watering or washing roadways, pavements, paths, garages or out rooms; any purpose which may require the use of a considerable or excessive quantity of water.

NWC said the restrictions will remain in place until further notice.

Last week, NWC revealed that the dams, the main water sources for the Corporate Area, were down to 27.4 per cent and 33.1 per cent of their capacities, respectively.

The Kingston Metropolitan Area receives its supply from four main sources – groundwater wells located at the foothills around the city, which supply Beverly Hills/Long Mountain and Red Hills/Chancery Hall; the Hermitage Dam, which supplies the Constant Spring and Seaview Water Treatment Plants; Yallahs and Hope Rivers, which serve Mona Reservoir and both the Hope and Mona Water Treatment Plants; and the Rio Cobre/White Marl system, which complements previously named supply sources.