Bermuda could do with a few days of steady rain about now to ease the dry spell which is causing concerns for not just homeowners but also creating havoc for the Island water truckers who are struggling to meet demands.

Steady rain is often seen as an inconvenience but it is a part of nature's work. Nobody or nothing can live without water and everybody appreciates having an abundant supply of it.

However, just how precious a commodity water is becomes evident during a summer drought, such as what the Island is experiencing at present. Golf courses, sports fields, parks and lawns are parched through lack of rain and the heat means that many have to sacrifice that 20 minute shower, washing the car or watering the lawn in the interest of water conservation.

And demand for truckloads of water means that the estimated 50-odd water truckers on the Island are getting orders faster than they can meet them.

"This happens every year, it's not something new," said water trucker John Stovell who is also the president of the Bermuda Water Truckers Association.

"It's not an easy solution when you are talking about increasing the population," said Mr. Stovell, referring to the continuing growth of the Island. "We've had this problem for the last 20 years."

The demand for more housing to meet the needs of a growing population means that ultimately there will be more demand for water to supply those households.

Water truckers obtain their water from several outlets, with the Government owned ones at Prospect and Port Royal - which are reverse osmosis plants - the biggest suppliers. Both were closed down for short periods earlier this week as the demand became too great.

Two days ago Works and Engineering announced that, due to low levels at the reservoirs, the Government-owned outlets will be open only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The initiative is to ensure that water levels remain stable and of good quality. However, for those truckers who obtain their water from other sources, their round-the-clock days are likely to continue.

Most of the water truckers on the Island are members of the Bermuda Water Truckers Association which, according to its president, meets with the Works and Engineering water section to discuss such things as water quality.

"For the past five years the emphasis has been on quality," said Mr. Stovell who has been in the business for more than 20 years and has seen droughts before.

"We keep in close contact with them. They give them (truckers) leaflets about having tanks cleaned when they transfer water from one tank to another. They are trying to make us responsible for the quality of the water."

Many homeowners have wells on their property to provide water for such things as toilet flushing, so as to conserve water.

"There are wells throughout Bermuda but there isn't any well water that hasn't been contaminated," said Mr. Stovell.

As is the case with taxi drivers, there is a slow season for water truckers - usually about three months - during the winter months. Summertime means their phones ring constantly and it is not unusual for truckers to be on the road from sunrise to late into the night.

"It's either feast or famine," Mr. Stovell admits. "When it gets like this people call around when they can't get it from their regular trucker. And of course there are the folks who feel you should top up their pools."

On any given day Mr. Stovell could be in any neighbourhood between Dockyard and Hamilton Parish, meeting customers' needs. Sometimes the demand is so great that truckers have to pass on business to other truckers.

"Normally I would be out by 7 a.m. and go until I get tired," said the BWTA president.

"But I try not to go over 10 p.m. because I try to consider other people other than my customers with the noise of the (water) pump. Of course the customer says you can come at anytime!"

Says BWTA vice president KC Daniels: "Sometimes I'm out there 2.30, 3 o'clock in the morning, and because my truck runs right from my motor you wouldn't even hear me.

Mr. Daniels says at 41 years he is the second longest water trucker in the business next to Calvin Burgess of Hamilton Parish. He doesn't believe the situation has reached a crisis point yet, even though the water truckers are stretched to meet demands.

"People put a lot of unnecessary burden on their water man by not checking their tanks like they should," he said.

"They should monitor their tanks like their bank accounts. We're out there unnecessary hours and it shouldn't be that way. Water is tight but not that all that tight and we'll be able to cope.

"I wouldn't say the situation is hopeful but it's not serious. I have some good customers who give me a week's warning but some wait until they are completely out."

Mr. Daniels, who also provides water for other truckers at his Devonshire location, says conservation is the key.

"If we don't get some water soon people will go down to Spittal Pond to take a bath," he said jokingly. "If you don't have a sense of humour, forget it."