As the summer heat sets in across Nova Scotia, the provincial government is taking steps to assist municipalities and residents in getting ready for potential drought conditions, which a cabinet minister highlighted as a certainty on Friday.
The Department of Municipal Affairs has put out a call for bids for a year-long contract to supply emergency drinkable water. This initiative aims to provide municipalities with access to affordable and dependable emergency water sources for their bottled water programs. The government has stated that it will not cover emergency bottled water costs for municipalities facing drought this year.
A new water data portal has also been launched, enabling the public to view groundwater levels in test wells across the province, water quality information, and precipitation data.
Speaking on Friday, Municipal Affairs Minister John A. MacDonald emphasized the importance of planning and preparing for water scarcity, stressing that every individual, whether reliant on municipal water or well water, needs to prioritize water conservation due to the changing climate.
Last year, Nova Scotia received less than 40% of its average rainfall, leading to a one-in-50-year drought in southwestern Nova Scotia. Many towns in the province recorded their driest three-month period on record.
Applications for the provincial sustainable communities challenge fund, offering $6.3 million for climate-adaptation projects focused on water resilience, are open until July 23. The fund supports initiatives such as community wells, backup water systems, engineering studies, and regional water infrastructure improvements. Successful projects are expected to be announced in the fall and completed by November 30, 2027.
David Mitchell, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities, expressed concerns about whether the funding would be sufficient to support all interested local governments. He emphasized the value of provincial support and information in preparing for the upcoming season.
The Municipality of the District of Barrington anticipates using the fund to finance a land-based desalination system, a first in Nova Scotia. The system, in partnership with Quebec’s Oneka Technologies, would convert ocean water into drinking water for distribution through bulk water stations to address water shortages and saltwater intrusion issues.
Although the new water data portal is beneficial, Barrington’s chief administrative officer, Chris Frotten, highlighted the need for further enhancements, particularly for smaller municipalities lacking expertise in water management.
The province is collaborating with the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities to enhance community support initiatives, including shared resource inventories.
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