WASA discusses water conservation with youth

Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) corporate communication manager Kristy Jones-Taylor offered water conservation tips during a forum for children and young adults.

Jones-Taylor was speaking at the third session of the Caribbean Girls in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Boys Who Support Them celebration on Thursday. The virtual event was hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce TT (Amcham).

Young people 11-24 years were invited to participate.

Jones-Taylor said the average person uses 82 gallons of water during the day, at home, work, school, and businesses. She said the regional consumption per capita, in comparison, is 46 gallons per day, a difference of 36 gallons.

She told the young audience that there are several ways in which the public can conserve water and reduce wastage. Using a hose to wash a car uses seven gallons of water per minute. This can be mitigated by using a bucket, she said.

Jones-Taylor said ten-minute showers can be reduced to five to six minutes, as this can waste up to 50 gallons. She also said filling the sink to wash the dishes as opposed to keeping the tap running can save up to one and a half gallons per use.

Jones-Taylor also discussed the effects of global warming with the young audience: “If we pollute more, we would be affected negatively.”

She said melting glaciers have led to more fresh water mixing with saltwater leading to saltwater intrusion and affecting the balance of the ecosystems in that area.

She said conservation practices should not change from dry to rainy season. She said, as a collective, we should develop good habits to practice daily.