Bermudians use more than three times as much water today as they did 40 years ago and consume half a billion gallons more than is collected in their rain tanks annually, the Government?s draft sustainable development plan reveals.

?Charting Our Course: Sustaining Bermuda? shows that Islanders use 1.58 billion gallons of water a year but only collect 1 billion gallons in their tanks. The document estimates that by 2010, Bermuda will be using 1.76 billion gallons of water.

It calls for the Government to develop a 20-year water strategy to determine Bermuda?s future water needs, reduce its own water use and restrict water-inefficient goods from being imported.

Sustainable Development Director Erica Smith told : ?We utilise more water than we produce annually. We have definitely seen an increase in the average daily use of water.

?On our recent rainfall over the last few years we haven?t collected as much water as we have been using and we have to supplement what we collect by buying water.?

The plan, which the public is being consulted on at the moment, says: ?During dry periods, demand for water exceeds supply. As a result of lifestyle changes ? dishwashers, washing machines, more regular showers ? residents use more water than we collect in our tanks.?

In 1967, Bermudians each consumed an average of seven gallons of water a day; now it is almost 30 gallons. Ms Smith said increased tourism and population changes had much to do with the rise. She said there were many things residents could do to reduce their water use, adding that Government?s new reverse osmosis plant, which draws water from the ocean, should be an ?end solution to the problem?, not the place to start.

?I think it begins with Bermudians,? she said. ?We have to be more conscious and conserve more.?

She cited five things each Islander could do to cut down on water use:

Don?t leave the tap on when brushing teeth

Install water savings taps or faucets

Install low-flushing toilets

Use dishwashing water to water plants

Install water-saving, energy efficient shower heads.

The plan says Government lacks an ?overarching water strategy?. ?It is not surprising that Bermuda experiences annual water shortages,? it says. ?A water strategy would help to alleviate this problem.?

It adds that all imported water-related goods, including taps, showers, toilets and washing machines, should be required to be water efficient.

And it adds that Government should introduce its own programme to cut water use. ?Government must show leadership and decreased water consumption will cut Government?s water expenses and save taxpayers? money.?