The Water and Sewerage Corporation has advised the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) that due to the impact of forecasted storms, it will with immediate effect reduce water pressure in New Providence to protect existing storage levels.

“With the current worsening weather conditions, the predicted effects of Hanna, and the impending effects of Tropical Storm Ike, the Corporation is concerned about the possibility of a prolonged period of deteriorated weather conditions,” the Corporation said.

It further advised that due to weather conditions, its water tanker has been secured and as such, water production will be impacted by up to 30 percent over the period.

“While the Corporation’s water production capacity will be less affected than in previous years, in order to protect existing storage levels, effectively immediately the Corporation will be reducing pressures on the island in the night from 12 midnight to 5 a.m. This will eventually be extended to 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and then further from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as required,” the Corporation said.

It added that there may be periods where customers will experience lower pressures than normal, but said: “every effort will be made to keep those periods at a minimum, especially during the periods when schools are in session.”

As is typical during these conditions, the Corporation said these preemptive measures are important to maintain water supplies to New Providence residents over a possible prolonged period of poor weather conditions.

“As is also typical residents are advised to store water for critical needs such as drinking, cooking and sanitation, conserve water, and to boil water immediately after the event until otherwise advised,” the Corporation said.

Regarding the Family Islands, the Corporation has been in contact with all of its “critical” personnel” and remains comfortable with the state of readiness.

“As is typical during these periods, residents are advised to store water and conserve the same during the period. Immediately following, water should be boiled until advised by the Corporation,” it said.

In Inagua, water supply will be turned off between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (Tuesday) to ration water. In Mayaguana, two newly installed 5,000 gallon high level tanks are filled and can supply the community. The system in Salina Point, Acklins is on and near full.

Water storage tanks in Crooked Island are filled, but may be turned off later if weather conditions deteriorate and power is shut off.

Storage tanks are filled in Ragged Island, and both the Simms and Central Long Island systems are on and supplying water as normal, the Corporation said.