Homes across the Island faced more water shortages this week as the unseasonal dry weather resulted in increasing numbers of tanks running empty.

Water truckers are now concerned that a dry summer could bring chaos.

They are urging the public to adopt conservation practices to ensure their domestic water supply stays running.

Russ Ford, vice president of the Bermuda Water Truckers' Association (BWTA), said: "I am very, very nervous about summer - very anxious, because if we are having these problems in winter, when summer comes it's going to be even more magnified.

"The situation is not like a few weeks ago - things are less intense, so I wouldn't call it a crisis like it was before, but as the summer comes we will have increasing challenges."

According to the Bermuda Weather Service, rainfall for the year to date is half the normal average - at 6.26 inches compared to 12.17 inches.

Last month's rainfall was 4 inches under average and the trend looks set to continue this month, with only 0.13 inches reported for March so far.

Usually, February and March are the wettest months of the year.

The Island's water truckers were only just catching up with the backlog of the past few weeks when the lack of rainfall began to bite once again this week.

The past few days have seen some households having to wait up to five days to replenish their tanks.

Mr. Ford, President of Bermuda Water Services Ltd., said: "The situation calmed down over the last week-and-a-half but it's backed up again now.

"The waiting list is three days, with some people having to wait five days.

"It's certainly surging again, and the Government outlets haven't been very favourable there, especially Tynes Bay, which had some mechanical problems. So once again we're faced with incapacity as far as water supply is concerned.

"The Government has plenty to do in terms of relieving the supply of water on a constant basis. They need to step up their plans for maintenance.

"They've been making some strides in the past few weeks which has helped, but we're still having to keep the pressure on."

Mr. Ford also wants to see Government stepping up its water conservation campaign to the public.

He said: "The Government should also be having a blitz on their conservation programme, encouraging people to do the right thing as it relates to water conservation.

"We're into a dry spell right now. There's no sign of rain in sight, and when it does rain there's not enough to fill the tanks. It's having a severe impact on people's lives."

From the start of next month, the cost of a water truck delivery will rise from $65 to $70.

The truckers say the 13 percent increase is needed to cover the rising costs of fuel and vehicle repairs which are a knock-on effect of maintenance problems and plant breakdowns - all forcing them to drive further.

Last month, truckers reported demand outstripping supply by four-to-one as the dry winter weather led to households running dry across the Island. Many were forced to wait up to five days for a delivery.

It led Government to issue an appeal to the public, urging them to avoid washing cars, using dishwashers or taking baths until the situation returned to normal.

Last night Government had not responded to our questions.