Conserve de wata

Guyana is the land of many waters, so a conversation about conservation of water can feel

strange. But right now, the world is experiencing an El Niño that is even affecting places like

Guyana, so we probably should have this conversation now.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Monday urged farmers to manage water carefully as

Guyana prepares for continued dry conditions. The message from the Ministry of Agriculture is

not one of panic. In fact, the Minister was clear that the point is to prepare before the situation

becomes a problem. Government agencies have already started monitoring the country’s major

water systems, including conservancies and irrigation infrastructure, while efforts are underway

to replenish water levels in several conservancies.

Then there is the warning from the Hydrometeorological Service that if the dry spell continues to

worsen, water rationing may become necessary.

All Guyanese should be aware. So, as we all experience this El Niño, here are ways we can

conserve de wata:

1. Stop wasting the water we already have.

This sounds obvious, but it is probably the easiest place to start. Fix that leaking pipe. Turn off

the pipe when you are not using it. If you are washing the car, cleaning the yard or doing

something that does not require a continuous flow of water, use what you need and turn it off

when you are finished. We do not have to wait for a shortage to start treating water like

something valuable.

2. Keep your water tanks clean and ready.

If your home depends on a tank to store water, now is a good time to check it. Make sure the tank

is clean, properly covered and in good condition, with no leaks or damage. A well-maintained

tank means that when water is available, you can store it safely and have a reserve when supply

becomes less reliable.

3. Think beyond your own yard.

Do not dump garbage into trenches. Keep drains around your property clear, and if you are using

water from a shared source, remember that somebody else may need it too. How one person

manages water can have consequences for somebody else.

Guyana is still the land of many waters. We are not suddenly without water, and the message

from the government is preparation, not panic. Dry periods are a good reminder that even in one

of the world's richest, water-resourced countries, water still needs to be managed.

As we see government agencies prepare the systems that support farmers and communities, the

rest of us can do our part. And sometimes the best thing we can do in this dry season is to turn

off the pipe.

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