CAC Urges Consumers to Use Water in a Smart Way

Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is urging consumers to “use water in a smart way”, as they deal with the effects of the current drought.

Speaking with JIS News, Communication Specialist at the CAC, Dorothy Campbell, said the Commission is fully endorsing the efforts of both of the Ministries of Agriculture & Fisheries and Water, Land, Environment & Climate Change in advising persons to conserve the scarce commodity.

“Consumers need to embrace some of the old fashioned habits that we had prior to piped, potable water, such as harvesting water at home for activities like watering your garden and washing the car,” she argued.

“If you are doing the dishes, use a container to do your washing, and maybe coincide washing your dishes with washing the car or when you take a bath, which is more recommended than having a shower, then that water can be recycled instead of sending it down the drain,” Miss Campbell advised.

She pointed out that a ‘smart plan’ should be discussed and decided in the homes on ways to conserve water. This plan should include reminders about turning off the tap while taking a shower or brushing your teeth and reporting drips and leaks.

“The CAC is advising that during the summer and as we get closer to the back-to-school period, parents should ensure that the children are hydrated and in doing so, they will need to provide extra bottles of water for them to take to summer school and camps,” she urged, adding that children should be reminded of the importance of rehydrating themselves throughout the day and not waiting until they are extremely parched.

Meanwhile, the Commission is in solidarity with the Ministry of Health in terms of the precautionary measures that have been issued regarding the chikungunya virus.

“We want to reiterate the need for consumers to check their environment to ensure that they do not have water settling around the home to breed mosquitoes…check the kids and other family members to ensure that the symptoms which have been issued – high fever, headache, muscle pain and so on – are not present,” Miss Campbell said.

“It is not only the old tyres and drums that will catch water around the home, but piles of dried leaves or bushes near the home could also be a breeding site for mosquitoes, so frequent checks should be done,” she further advised.