Despite the rainfall on Tuesday, people in Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore communities say they’re still suffering due to the extended dry weather conditions in the province over the past few months.
“We’ve only really started to get calls just in the last three or four days about people who are having issues with wells going dry,” said the area‘s MLA Kevin Murphy in Porters Lake.
Roxanne LaPierre, who lives in Grand Desert, said her artesian well was operating fine until late last week.
“We haven’t run out, but we had some spitting and sputtering in the water pressure,” she said. “We’re trying to ration it more now so that we don’t drain it.”
It’s a reality many people in the community are facing, and the fear is the recent rainfall isn’t enough.
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Murphy said residents who are facing a lack of safe drinking water should call Halifax’s 311 line.
“The province and the municipalities have coordinated a supply of bottled water for all Nova Scotians, but it’s a matter of we need to know where to send that supply to make the best use of it.”
Porters Lake Provincial Park is open between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday for residents to get drinking water and use the washrooms, which include shower facilities.
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The Lake & Shore Community Recreation Centre can also be used.
“During our hours of operation, anybody that is in need of a shower or needs to come in to get some water is welcome to do that,” said Sherisse Dawson, the facility manager and recreation programmer for the centre.
Murphy also said residents should use caution and common sense when getting their wells filled.
“Bacteria that does lurk in water — it’s one of those things that you never think of, but people can get very, very sick from drinking contaminated water,” he said.