A shortage of rainfall is straining Government?s water treatment plants and reservoirs leading to restrictions and has led to an appeal for the public to conserve water.

The reservoirs at Prospect, St George?s and Port Royal have several times been emptied, making it necessary to reduce the operating hours at the water trucker?s outlets at Frog Lane, Port Royal and St. George?s.

In some cases piped supply to customers has been restricted to enable the reservoirs to refill, said a Government press release issued last night.

In order to fill the reservoirs sufficiently the Frog Lane and Port Royal trucker?s outlets will be closed during the following period this weekend from 6 p.m. on Saturday until 7 a.m. on Monday.

Further water trucking restrictions may be necessary, depending on operational conditions.

It will also be necessary to shut off the piped supply to most customers for the same period.

The Bermuda Weather Service said last night the dry spell would end with rain expected on Sunday and more rain set for the middle of next week.

Meteorologist Dr. Lou McNally said rainfall since mid-December was down nearly four inches on normal conditions at this time of year.

He told: ?That?s quite a bit, it?s difficult to get that kind of rainfall out of a single storm.?

But he said the weather pattern would change to windier and more rainy conditions although temperatures would remain high.

Government has asked the public to:

? Repair leaks quickly;

? Use a bucket, not a hose, to wash cars;

? Minimise lawn and garden watering;

? Not let water overflow or run after use;

? Wash full loads when doing laundry;

? Not order deliveries of more water than necessary..