Thirsty homeowners trying to stay on top of the Island's current dry conditions have been asked to stop stockpiling water.

The urgent appeal came yesterday from Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott after water truckers complained that people are ordering water when their tanks are more than half full.

Said Mr. Scott: "Householders who have more than a half-tank of water should hold off ordering water until those households who are completely out of water are serviced first.'' He said the Island's water truckers are totally stretched as they work around the clock to supply households -- but are often finding they are adding water to tanks which have sufficient water for the time being.

Meanwhile those households who are more desperate for water are being forced to wait for longer periods before they can be serviced, added the Minister.

Mr. Scott said householders must continue to check their tanks and order water before they run out but advised them to wait until their tanks dropped below the halfway mark before they ordered water.

This, he continued, would enable water truckers to satisfy the neediest customers first.

There is no need to stockpile water as the problem is with the demand for water, not the supply of water, pointed out Mr. Scott.

"If you have enough water for the next month, continue to conserve,'' said the Minister.

WATER WAT