If it does not rain soon, Bermuda could be facing some significant water conservation measures, according to Island water distributors.

It is understood that water trucks have been lining up at water reservoirs after Government limited access in efforts to conserve water.

The Bermuda Weather Service yesterday said the average yearly rainfall to date is 22.89 inches.

This year Bermuda has currently received 19.68 inches of rain ? slightly behind that average.

Though the difference is small, Bermuda Waterworks chief officer Allan Rance pointed out the distribution of that rainfall has to be taken into account.

The Weather Service confirmed that this May 3.16 inches fell, above the May average of 3.01 inches.

However most of that was within the first week of the month, with the last significant rainfalls taking place on May 5 and 6.

"This is the third consecutive week now," Mr. Rance said.

"Whenever that happens we have a situation where the demand for water climbs almost on a daily basis ? We are reaching the point where if it does not rain in a few weeks we will be in a situation where we would think about taking significant conservation measures."

That would entail checks to ensure water is being distributed economically and efficiently, he said. "But we wouldn't go into any panic mode. We will effect cutbacks to ensure the amount going out equals the amount we have coming in." Despite demand climbing, "The water trucks aren't busy because they don't have water," a Bermuda Water Services spokesperson said yesterday.

Though Government normally allows water trucks access to the water reservoirs at Prospect and in Southampton 24 hours a day, the spokesperson said for the past two weeks those hours have been limited.

On Sunday the Southampton lens was open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., while on Monday it was open only from 12 to 6 p.m., he said.

"Today it opened at 12 and they say it will close at 6 or 7," he said yesterday. "Those hours are not enough time for the water truckers."

Government has said they are making the move because water in the lens is down, he said. "But if so how come Watlington Waterworks (now Bermuda Waterworks) are getting all they want, and Barritt's and other people? "After 5 I have three trucks in the yard doing nothing ? I'm worried about the public worrying about our service. We've got plenty of trucks, but Government doesn't have the water to sell us.

"And it's not even summer yet." Mr. Rance said yesterday he knew nothing about Government limiting access to the water reservoirs.

However, he noted, the majority of the water currently produced and distributed by BWL is desalinated sea-water the company makes, a fact which might lead to the perception that BWL has "unlimited" access to water reservoirs.

The Bermuda Water Authority limits the amount of water an organisation can take from the reservoirs, he said, and BWL is currently abstracting its limit. "Government probably is also.

"We are abstracting to our limit and we are also producing (desalinated sea-water) to our limit ? We are at the upper end of our limits now." Acting permanent secretary of Works and Engineering Alexander Ming did not return a call from yesterday.