Government today launched a campaign aimed at highlighting the need for water conservation.

Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess said the initiative had been designed to raise public awareness about water conservation and to encourage residents to be conscious of the Island’s unique water supply.

He said: “A principal goal of the 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.

“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, particularly when treating seawater, and water conservation will result in energy savings.”

Bermuda’s National Water Conservation Campaign also aims to:

* Educate school children in water conservation practices as a critical way of changing future behaviours.

* Educate the public on ways to conserve water and minimize waste for example, regularly inspecting for leaks in tanks and fixtures or using a bucket not a hose to wash cars.

* Educate the public in the care and maintenance of water tanks.

* Encourage the public to use wells for flushing/as a good investment as a supplementary water supply — except for drinking.

* Full story in tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.