into a serious supply shortage as the weather heats up.

Government's Works and Engineering Ministry released the warning yesterday, claiming the rainfall of the last few days would not be enough to compensate for the dry spell of recent weeks.

And yesterday, a number of water companies across the Island said they had been rushed off their feet supplying water to homes and businesses.

A spokesman for the Ministry's's water division said the showers experienced over the last 48 hours had been long overdue, as there had been little or no rain for several weeks.

And he said water truckers were already busy serving households whose tanks had run dry.

Rainfall is still below average for this time of year with 16.91 inches recorded this year, compared with 18.23 inches normally.

The spokesman said: "Although Government water supplies are keeping up with the current demand from water truckers, householders would be well advised to practise water conservation now, whenever and wherever they can, because the demand for fresh water will increase as the weather heats up for the summer.'' Grant Darby, who owns Darby's Water Service and is secretary of the Water Truckers' Association, said water was in demand but the Island had not reached crisis point yet.

And he said besides cutting back the use of water, residents should first and foremost ensure their water tanks, roofs and pipes were in full working order and without leaks.

And he said 75 percent of checks his company carried out, showed there were leaks.

Mr. Darby added: "People have to check their tanks regularly to ensure they are not leaking, and must check the roof to see that water is getting down the leaders and into the tank.

"There is a big demand for water at the moment, we are very busy, but the companies can still get it, so there is no need to panic. We have not reached a point of crisis by quite a way, yet.'' A spokeswoman for Down Pour Water Service said they had been rushed off their feet with demands for water.

"We don't have enough hours in the day to deliver the water,'' she said. "We are out delivering between 6 a.m. and midnight, and there are still calls for more. We are going to run into a problem unless people start being careful now.'' Watch your water use A spokeswoman for H2O Delivery said the same.

She added: "It really is a problem. We are definitely more busy than usual, and from what I understand, we are not in a very good position because it is only April.'' However, Wilson's Action Water Services said they did not believe there was a problem, and said demand seemed to be the same as in previous years.

A spokeswoman for that company said: "This is normal. We don't think the demand is any higher than other times of the year. It has been raining all winter.'' Suggested water conservation tips include: Using a basin to wash vegetables.

Washing laundry only you have a full load.

Taking quick showers and turning off water while soaping.

Turning off the tap while brushing teeth.

Adjusting the toilet float to a lower level, and ensuring the toilet water stops running after flushing.

Not flushing until necessary.

Using a bucket of water to wash car.

Repairing leaky water pipes and tanks.