An additional reverse osmosis plant should be operational by year’s end, Government said yesterday as it called on residents to conserve water in the face of a continuing trend of declining rainfall.Public Works Minister Michael Weeks said that just 8.61 inches of rainfall had been experienced so far this year — a ten-inch deficit when compared to the average year-to-date rainfall.“In fact we are well behind on average annual rainfall for the past few years — in 2010 we were 10.6 inches below average, while last year we were 16.3 inches below average,” the Minister said.With 41 percent of Bermuda’s water supply coming from rain, the Minister urged residents to take steps to conserve fresh water.He said water should be ordered before it runs out.“Please don’t wait until the last minute as this only places additional strain on our infrastructure,” he said.The Minister reminded the public to repair leaks quickly when they occur, only wash full loads in the washing machine and use a basin to wash dishes and vegetables not running water.Other water conservation measures include turning off the tap while shaving or brushing teeth, taking a quick shower as opposed to a full bath and keeping a pitcher in the fridge for drinking instead of running the tap.“Every drop saved helps maintain Bermuda’s water table.”Mr Weeks also urged the public to report flowing water in the road and to wash cars with a bucket, not a hose.“Access to clean, portable water is becoming an increasing problem worldwide,” he said.“We in Bermuda are perhaps too complacent at times and believe that we will always have water when we need it as we have always had it in the past.”The Minister explained that the Tynes Bay RO plant produces 600,000 gallons a day, but he said an additional well will be built to expand supply. The RO plant in St George’s produces 130,000 gallons a day while the Tudor Hill plant produces a maximum of 50,000 daily.The new RO plant will be built at the Bailey’s Bay quarry and have a capacity of one million gallons a day.