CWSA Drought Response, Water Conservation Advisory
In a recent release from Public Relations and Marketing Manager Joan Ryan, the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) laid out the stark data behind an urgent and largely unseen problem.
Based on official data from the SVG Met Office, the 2025 rainy season saw what the CWSA itself calls “a drastic plunge” in rainfall. The numbers are not just concerning; they are staggering.
• 2020-2024 Rainfall: Ranged from a low of 1296.7 mm to a high of 1552.0 mm.
• 2025 Recorded Rainfall: Just 687.1 mm.
A reduction of over 50% means our surface and ground water aquifers were not replenished as they should have been. The reserves simply aren’t there to weather the drought ahead.
The Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CARICOF) has issued a formal prediction for St. Vincent and the Grenadines: short-term drought conditions are forecast up to March, with a long-term drought predicted up to May of 2026.
According to the authority, it may be forced to adapt its normal operating protocols. This means the rationing of water may start earlier and last for longer periods of time, coupled with the implementation of stringent water conservation practices.
While the water shortage is an island-wide issue, its impacts will arrive with brutal specificity. The CWSA has identified the water sources that are historically the first and most severely affected during periods of low rainfall. The communities supplied by the Montreal, Dalaway, and Mamoon Water Sources are on the front line of this crisis.
For these households and communities, the national water crisis will be a daily reality of carefully managed taps and uncertain supply long before it reaches others. While the crisis will arrive first for those relying on the Montreal, Dalaway, and Mamoon sources, their situation is a preview for the entire nation, which is why the CWSA’s call for individual preparation is not just for some, but for all.
In response, the CWSA has activated its internal Emergency Management System to monitor water sources and heighten public awareness. But the most powerful solutions begin at home. The authority is strongly encouraging homeowners to take proactive steps now to build their household resilience.
• Invest in home water storage systems to alleviate the impact of both planned and unplanned disruptions. Refer to the “Do-It-Yourself” video tutorial on the CWSA/SWMU’s YouTube page, which shows how to convert a plastic barrel into a water storage and distribution medium and use the CWSA’s suggested calculation to determine your household’s needs: ten gallons per person, per day.