Lunenburg, N.S., has issued a mandatory water conservation order for residents and businesses following a dam breach in the area. Emergency officials, engineers, and contractors first responded to the breach at the Dares Lake dam, which serves as the town’s drinking water source, around 4 p.m. Wednesday. People were asked to conserve water and reduce all non-essential water use about an hour later. The town says response efforts continued Thursday morning following a pause overnight “due to darkness and site safety considerations.” On Thursday evening, the town said crews have contained and stabilized the breach by strengthening the dam. They have also used berms and trenches to divert water from the pumphouse to allow crews to access the affected infrastructure. “At this time, two of our three pumps are operating, although not at full capacity,” the town said in a Facebook post. “The third pump remains out of service, and staff are working to replace it as soon as possible.” Residents are also being reminded to stay away from the Dares Lake area while emergency crews and contractors are working. The town says there is still no immediate risk to public safety and updates will be shared as more information becomes available. Water conservation On Thursday afternoon, the town said they hope to return service levels to normal soon, but a mandatory conservation order is needed to “ensure the continued provision of safe and reliable water service.” Under the order, the following uses of municipal water are prohibited: “Where the Utility determines that a customer’s water consumption threatens the Utility’s ability to provide reliable continuous water service, the Utility may impose additional restrictions, water use limits, or cease water service in accordance with the Utility Regulations,” the town said. Residents are also asked to keep showers under 10 minutes per person per day and not use bathtubs except for infant care or medical necessity. Dishwashers and clothes washers should only be used with full loads. Mayor says new dam collapsed Mayor Jamie Myra says the dam was newly installed, and it looks like it the entre thing collapsed. “It was installed over the last nine months and basically what happened yesterday from the pictures I’ve seen… is that the dam basically cracked down through the middle, one section basically fell into the lake almost immediately and then a couple hours later the right side fell into the lake, so we actually have no dam,” he told CTV News Atlantic’s Callum Smith. Myra says he’s disappointed and frustrated by the breach. “We don’t know exactly what happened, so at this point there’s no sense in laying blame – I know there will have to be answers given, there will be lots of questions to ask when this is done. Right now, our number one priority is fixing the problem.” Crews are currently dealing with a washed-out road and a submerged pump building. Myra says the problem isn’t a lack of water, but rather the fact that the pump station isn’t operating. “The pump house is what actually pumps the water up to our treatment plant… so without the ability to pump water up from the lake to the treatment plant, obviously we don’t have water to give to our residents,” he said. Closures, cancellations South Shore Regional Centre for Education (SSRCE) says Bluenose Academy is closed Thursday due to the incident. “SSRCE is monitoring the issue and communicating with the town. We understand this is frustrating for students and staff who were looking forward to the first day of school,” reads a post on the school’s Facebook page. The Town of Lunenburg’s Community Centre is also closed. Thursday’s Lunenburg Farmers’ Market has changed location to the Blockhouse Fire Hall for vendors with harvested perishable products. The market will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nova Scotia Health says some non-urgent patient appointments at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital have been rescheduled due to the water shortage. The hospital remains open. With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Sean Mott and Callum Smith For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
