With water levels plunging due to the continuing dry spell, Government yesterday banned water trucks from loading up between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

And residents were advised to conserve water, as it was revealed that reservoirs are running low and demand is outstripping supply by 10 percent.

Government water plants are working flat out but still cannot meet the demand.

And trucking companies are urging residents not to wait until the last minute to order water because it is creating a rush which they cannot meet.

Government yesterday urged residents to help overcome the shortages by not ordering more water than they need and asked householders to:

Check for leaks in plumbing and tanks;

Regularly check tank levels;

Conserve water by not washing cars or using a bucket rather than a hose;

Ensuring taps are not allowed to run.

Yesterday, the Works and Engineering Water Section said: “Despite above average rainfall for the current year, Bermuda is presently experiencing a significant dry spell, which has led to a major increase in demand for water. With all the Government water plants working at maximum production, the demand is still outstripping the supply by more that 10 percent. As a result, the reservoirs have dropped to very low levels.

“The Ministry has advised that as a measure of conservation, the operation of the Government truck outlets will be limited to the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. This measure is being taken to ensure that the water system remains stable and of good quality. The public is asked to assist by not ordering more than they need.”

The Island's water trucking companies said Islanders were waiting until the last minute before calling for their services and that it was creating a large demand on all drivers.

Water service owner and driver Johnny Eatherley pleaded with residents not to wait until their tanks were dry.

“People will see a grey cloud in the sky and think they don't need to get water yet and they end up waiting.

“It puts a lot of pressure on truckers when everyone is calling for water at the same time.”

Mr. Eatherley also said that truckers were relying on one pipe out of the 17 at the Prospect station.

“What happens is that the tanks are down low and can't keep up with the demand especially when 20 odd trucks are taking water every 20 minutes.”

Late yesterday afternoon, truckers lined up to wait for their turn at the water pipe.

One trucker, who requested anonymity, explained that the tank that supplied the pipes at Prospect were so low on water that most of the pipes had been shut down in order to let them fill up again.

Because of the time it takes for the trucks to get a load of water, Mr. Eatherley added the pressure was on the reverse osmosis plants that provide the truckers with the fresh water.

“The plants aren't able to keep up with the demand and they're working overtime.

“The plants can't make the water as fast as the demand and we're taking the water as fast as we can and there isn't enough time for the plant to build itself up.”

And Works and Engineering said simple conservation among Islanders would help alleviate the problem and help save water in the long run.