People along N.S. south shore asking province for help as tinder dry conditions continue

Hot, dry weather continues There is still little rain in the forecast, raising water concerns for those along the N.S south shore.

As the hot, dry weather continues, people in southern and southwestern Nova Scotia are calling for action from all levels of government.

People who live in the village of Chester say it's time for a municipal water system.

“Some wells have gotten very low, and people have had to be very careful and cautious about how they use the water. But it's not as bad, my understanding is it's not as bad as southwest Nova Scotia,” says Village of Chester commission chairman Ray Cambria.

Many businesses in the area have been without water for months.

A local tavern’s well went dry in March, and it’s not expected to be full again until December.

“If you're running a business and you're paying out money just to stay in business by buying water every week. We're the largest community of this density in Nova Scotia to not have a water system,” says tavern owner Bob Youden. “We're bringing in 3,500 gallons one or two times a week.”

Some say it's time for the province to step up with disaster response.

“This is a disaster, in my mind no different than a hurricane. Maybe not as damaging, but people are starting to suffer,” says PC MLA Chris d'Entremont.

The province says everything that can be done is being done.

People in the southwest have access to drinking water and showers through municipal emergency management offices.

“If further action is required, depending on whether we get rain or not, the Red Cross is on standby,” says minister for EMO Zach Churchill.

There is still very little rain in the forecast.

Chris d'Entremont says the government should be gathering information about who needs help, and where they are located.

In the meantime, the town of Shelburne is doing just that. Anyone who needs help getting water to their home can call the town office or fill out a survey online.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Sarah Ritchie.