N.B. government asks residents to continue water conservation efforts as colder months approach

New Brunswick is asking residents to continue to conserve drinking water.

The Government of New Brunswick is asking residents to conserve water ahead of winter.

The province says surface and groundwater levels remain below normal and when the ground freezes it limits absorption of water.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Gilles LePage is asking New Brunswick residents to conserve in order to protect water supplies through the colder months.

“Our province continues to experience low rainfall, and, until significant precipitation returns, every drop saved counts,” said LePage. “Community resilience begins with each of us doing our part to conserve water.”

The province says recent rainfall is beneficial but is not enough to resolve the ongoing drought.

The Canadian Drought Monitor report recently showed New Brunswick is in the “extreme drought” category.

“The New Brunswick Water Resource Report for September indicated stream flows were well below the long-term normal for most of the province, and groundwater wells in Miramichi and the Ford Bank area of Five Rivers are at record lows,” a release from the province reads.

Decreasing water usage in homes, businesses and public spaces will help make sure there is enough water for basic needs over the winter months.

“We’re looking at every solution possible. We’ll work with the municipalities, we will work with the homeowners, we’ll work with the companies to make sure that people have water somehow. We need to deliver water to our people. But again, conservation is a key. It’s the way to do it now, and every drop counts,” LePage said.

Private well owners can contact a licensed well driller if they are concerned, the province said.

“We will work directly with local governments to ensure they have the tools and information to support residents experiencing reduced or no water supply,” said LePage.

“Because, when we run out of water, that means we’ve run out of some, like, kind of life in New Brunswick. It will affect our health departments. It will affect our our nursing homes. So lack of water – water’s an essential part of our life, please, save it,” he said.

The Department of Environment and Local Government suggests ways residents can conserve water:

• avoid washing vehicles
• avoid letting water run while brushing teeth
• use washing machines and dishwashers less frequently and with full loads only
• take quick showers to minimize water used for washing
• consider installing low-flow faucets
• check for leaks in plumbing systems, such as faucets and toilets, and repair as necessary

The New Brunswick Water Quantity Information which shares updates on water levels, including summaries of precipitation, stream flow and groundwater levels is available online.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Laura Brown

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.