Retirement News : Seniors : Drought hits our seniors

Drought hits our seniors

Date Added: 12-07-2005

MANY Bermudian seniors have been without water for more than a week, and Opposition Community Affairs spokeswoman Louise Jackson said that water truckers are reporting a three-week waiting list.
The island is suffering from a prolonged drought, with the last significant rains having fallen towards the end of May, but Mrs. Jackson holds the Government partly responsible for the dire situation.
"It's really affecting people now," advised Mrs. Jackson. "I've had numerous calls from seniors who have been without water for over a week. They kept calling me back and telling me that they had called every water trucker, and the truckers told them, 'Don't blame us, blame Government'."
Mrs. Jackson said she had called many of the truckers, and they had pointed to the poor maintenance of the water catchments.
"Apparently, things are so bad that there are trees, not bushes, are growing right through the catchment area at Tudor Hill," reported Mrs. Jackson. "Each year, this Government has neglected to repair the water catchments, and they have generally been 'bailed out' by regular rainfall.
"But now they have been caught out. The water truckers tell me that they're only able to service their regular clients, and many others have just quit altogether.
"I have called every one of the major truckers, trying to get water for seniors, and they have told me that they have a three-week waiting list. A couple of those poor old souls have been allowed to take a bucket or two of water from people's wells, and lug them home, but it's harder for them than younger people, who are more mobile and can get to clubs or to friends for a shower. I have heard of people joining gyms so they can get a shower!"
"Fortunately, Michael Dunkley has been very gracious in providing some bottled water for some seniors, but we have a crisis here and a lot of people are completely unaware of it."
"People have been discussing this on the talk shows for years, the fact that the Government has let the catchment areas deteriorate and not done necessary repairs. There is either a lack of leadership, or a lack of money, or both. This is becoming a serious health issue."
A Ministry of Health and Family Affairs spokesman invited Mrs. Jackson to provide the names of the seniors, and the Ministry would attempt to be of assistance. The Ministry of Works and Engineering was unable to respond by press time.

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