NWC maintains water restrictions despite increased levels at catchment facilities

 

 

The National Water Commission (NWC) is maintaining water restrictions across the Corporate Area, despite an increase in water levels at the island's two main catchment facilities.

 

As at Wednesday, Hermitage Dam was at 58.4 per cent of capacity, while Mona Reservoir stood at 44.8 per cent.

 

Delano Williams, Corporate Communications Director at the NWC, says recent rainfall resulted in a 9 per cent increase at Mona Reservoir and just over 10 per cent at Hermitage Dam.

 

However, he said the improvement is not sufficient to warrant a relaxation of the current water restrictions. 

 

"What that means in real terms is that we are still far below the normal levels compared to, whether 2024 or 2025. In these previous years, we would have already been at full capacity, and that would have given us an opportunity to relax the regulations perhaps even before October. This year, in 2026, the difference is a stark one, and so based on the lower levels of inflows, we are still forced to maintain the water supply regulations that are in place, and to continue to monitor those inflows and the forecast in terms of what the weather projections are before a decision can be made for relaxation," he explained.

 

Mr. Williams said water levels remain below the typical increases recorded during the wet season, adding that the NWC is also taking into account forecasts of a drier period than in previous years. 

 

"So for the persons who are asking what would be the ideal percentage, we couldn't give you one at this point until we know what the forecast is. In previous years, 65 would have been a reasonable percentage, but the forecast would have also been an encouraging one to say we are getting enough inflows. But this year, 65 may not be that magic number because the forecast suggests a drier spell. So it is going to be a combination between the level that we get to and also what the forecast for the remaining period between now and February-March looks like," he pointed out.