SaltWire - Inverness County issues mandatory water conservation directive
“Until the water supply can be increased, everyone must reduce water use to protect the system and ensure a safe, reliable supply for all residents.”
Click here to read the article on SaltWire.
This article from SaltWire details how Inverness County, Nova Scotia, has issued a mandatory water conservation directive for residents of Mabou amid critically low water storage levels. Persistent dry weather and insufficient groundwater recharge have left the municipal system under strain, prompting officials to call on residents to immediately reduce water consumption.
Although some rainfall has recently occurred, the county cautioned that it will take time for precipitation to meaningfully restore groundwater supplies. In the meantime, a second well has been brought online to temporarily bolster Mabou’s water system. The directive will remain in place until storage levels return to a safe and sustainable state, while nearby communities — including Port Hood, Judique, Port Hastings, Whycocomagh, Inverness, and Chéticamp — are under a voluntary conservation advisory.
Residents have been encouraged to take practical steps to conserve water, such as shortening showers, running full loads in dishwashers and washing machines, limiting toilet flushing, and avoiding outdoor water use. Officials stressed that collective action is vital to maintaining a reliable supply for all users as the region continues to face prolonged dry conditions.
Across Canada, similar drought-driven advisories are becoming increasingly common as groundwater systems struggle to recover from extended dry spells. National-scale modelling initiatives like Canada1Water (C1W) are helping fill these data and forecasting gaps by simulating the full hydrological cycle — from precipitation to groundwater flow — under current and future climate conditions. Tools like C1W provide the scientific foundation needed to inform sustainable water use, strengthen municipal planning, and ensure communities like Mabou are better equipped to manage and adapt to changing water availability.