Works Minister Derrick Burgess yesterday unveiled the latest weapon in the war against water wastage: Mr. Drippy.

As part of Bermuda's National Water Conservation Campaign, launched yesterday, the Ministry will be using TV, radio, newspapers and the Internet to urge people to conserve water at all times. Spearheading the initiative will be Mr. Drippy, a cartoon figure shaped like a droplet of water who encourages residents to turn off the tap while cleaning their teeth and inspect their pipes for leaks.

Mr. Burgess suggested Mr. Drippy will go down in Bermuda history, telling a press conference yesterday: "The National Water Conservation Campaign is designed to be educational, informative and fun.

"One of the creative concepts sure to appeal to residents features the character Mr. Drippy. We are certain that Mr. Drippy will be long remembered after the formal campaign has ended."

The Minister said the aim of the campaign was to ensure the Island always has enough water to drink and for other household purposes. "A principal goal of the water conservation campaign is to reduce water demand with the resulting benefit of extending the life of existing water treatment facilities and the deferral of capital spending for plant expansions or new facilities," said Mr. Burgess.

"Water conservation will also minimise the demand on the Island's underground water lenses and preserve them for future use. Reverse osmosis plants are high users of Bermuda's expensive electrical power and water conservation will result in energy savings."

He said objectives include:

• educating school children in water conservation practices;

• educating the public on the ways to conserve water and minimise waste;

• educating the public in the care and maintenance of water tanks;

• encouraging the public to use wells for flushing and as a supplementary water supply.

Mr. Burgess added: "Bermuda historically has a good water conservation ethic and this campaign will seek to maintain this ethic to ensure the long-term viability of rainwater harvesting as the primary source of drinking water.

"It is important to make the point that the water conservation campaign has not been introduced because we are in a drought situation. Instead, the campaign is about reminding people of the need to conserve water."