CTV News - 'Ongoing water shortage shows no sign of easing as dry spell continues’.
“I’m not quite sure how the community is going to get through the winter because we’re going to have to, I think the village will need to look at longer kind of plans to help people out.”
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This recent article from CTV News highlights how ongoing drought conditions across parts of the Maritimes are continuing well into the fall, placing significant strain on rural communities that rely on dug wells. In Memramcook, New Brunswick— where roughly half of households depend on private wells— the situation has become increasingly urgent. Some residents report their water tables dropping so low that sediment is coming through household taps, prompting concerns about daily needs and how the community will manage through the winter.
In response, the village has established both financial and logistical support. Residents affected by well shortages can now receive up to 75% coverage of water delivery costs (to a maximum of $1,000), and a designated water distribution site has been opened where people can fill tanks for a small fee. While these measures offer temporary relief, local leadership acknowledges longer-term solutions are needed. Plans are underway to connect additional households to the municipal water system as funding becomes available.
Other municipalities in the region are facing similar conditions. In Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, mandatory water restrictions remain in place, and officials are monitoring water sources closely. Without steady, prolonged rainfall—or a winter snowpack that slowly replenishes groundwater— residents and municipal systems may face additional challenges, including boil-water advisories if alternate supply wells need to be tapped.
These ongoing water shortages highlights the growing vulnerability of groundwater-dependent communities during periods of prolonged dryness. As drought conditions become more frequent and severe across Canada, large-scale hydrological modelling efforts like the Canada1Water (C1W) project will play a vital role in supporting better forecasting and long-term planning. By helping to understand how surface water, groundwater, and climate patterns interact across regions, C1W provides policymakers and local decision-makers with the insights needed to strengthen water security and community resilience for the years ahead.