myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

i am staying at the grafton at the end of july and have just received a letter stating that there is a drought with a list of how i will have to conserve water whilst i am there. i thought that july/ august is when there are quite a few short sharp thunderstorms so wasnt anticipating this problem. can somebody update me with the current situation and whether is likely that water restrictions will be imposed late july / early august? thanks

Water shortages are a normal part of life on Tobago – as are power and telephone cuts. That’s part of the charm of the back-to-basics experience. In truth, it’s never caused me more than a temporary frustration.

Yes, Tobago has experienced one of the driest dry seasons on record and there are severe water shortages which have led to rationing in some areas. Rainfall for this month has been above average, but the negative impact of the abnormally dry season is expected to continue for some time.

Despite this, I have to tell you that I’m not hearing scare stories from visitors returning from the island. I get the impression that it’s a slight inconvenience, more than a major problem. The government are apparently doing everything possible to ensure that the hotels are supplied, so as not to rock tourism – the island’s only industry. Hotels and other businesses are also buying artesian water which is delivered by tankers. Tobago is only now entering into the wet season, so it’s too early to tell whether the situation will be remedied by the time you get there. I can only suggest that you keep monitoring the forum for reports from returning visitors or island residents. Perhaps someone in Tobago will be good enough to post an “on the ground” update for us.

Hi Steve, I can only speak about the Crown Point area. We have been getting aregular supply of water over the past two weeks or so without any need for a truckborne supply. There has been a marked decrease in the use of trucks by most of the resorts in this area, so I guess they are all recieving an improved suppy too. John .

Thanks, John - that confirms the general feedback I'm getting.