Every day we observe ‘Earth-Hour’ and ‘Water-Hour’

Apr 16, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
Three weeks ago my wife pointed out to me that “Earth-Hour” is coming, and queried whether we would participate.
I discovered that Earth-Hour is where a lot of people around the world come together to turn off all the electricity in their homes for one hour. I laughed. I told her that we may not have a choice.
So said, so done. Come Earth-Hour day, we had three Earth-Hours that morning. The next day, we had five! Earth-Fifteen Minutes. So too that Sunday.
For the next two weeks we had at least one Earth-Hour a day, and numerous Earth-Two and Three Hours. Then for the last week, lots of Earth-Five Minutes scattered around.

In all this time, we had lots of Water-Conservation Days too. Because everyday, we had a Water-Hour. Note though, that this means the length of time we received water from the taps, not how long water was cut off for. It came in 10 minutes spurts at irregular intervals throughout the day, with the last bit cutting off at 18:00hrs. For a while I couldn’t be sure that it was indeed being cut off at 18:00 hrs, except that for the last three days where we managed to get lights (our water supply in the area is dependent on GPL) all afternoon, full water supply terminated abruptly at exactly 18:00 hrs. So a pattern is there definitely.

Last time I mentioned the water supply hours, I was told that our area gets a 16-hour supply from 05:00 hrs, and this was so until now indeed (my last letter seemed to clear up some unusual patterns). I wonder how come that has changed now. I wonder also if GWI has chosen to regulate the water supply time, why they are not considering giving water at the times when working people are going to need it most. Imagine knocking off at 16:30 hrs and hustling home to get water that cuts off at 18:00 hrs.
As I write here, we had an Earth-ten Minutes at 06:00 hrs this morning. Five and a half hours later, and we still have had no water. Not even at ground level where I might set a bowl and fill a couple of buckets up. Never mind that GWI passed around a few weeks back declaring on a megaphone that if water bills are not paid, we will get cut off.

I noticed an excellent letter in the papers the other day where it was asked why GWI does not go after the big business defaulters with the same zeal they do the small people. Well, water bills are paid – in advance, mind you – “for the promise of provision of water”, and still no water.
You know what would change all this? Somebody suing utility companies, and having that suit determined in front of a jury. Imagine a jury of 12 people suffering at the hands of the same utilities having to determine what compensation a plaintiff needs. But I’m sure laws in Guyana do not provide for cases like these.
Nyall Jodhan

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