Halifax offering free drinking water, showers to people with dry wells

A stock photo of a shower. (Pexels/Karolina Kaboompics)

The Halifax Regional Municipality is now offering emergency drinking water and showers to residents with dry wells during the ongoing drought.

“Many residents with private wells are reporting shortages or completely dry systems. Prolonged drought can also strain municipal water supplies, making conservation efforts critical for all,” reads a Wednesday news release from HRM.

Halifax Water began asking residents last Wednesday to voluntarily conserve water. The municipality says it helps protect the shared supply and may also delay the need for any mandatory restrictions.

Beginning Wednesday, through Sept.10, residents can collect:

• four litres per person per day
• up to one week’s supply per household at a time

Additional water is also available for pets based on their weight.

The water will be available on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:

• Station 39 – 14 Highway 336, Upper Musquodoboit
• Station 48 – 1581 Beaverbank Road, Beaverbank
• Station 50 – 2050 Hammonds Plains Rd., Hammonds Plains
• Station 56 – 8579 St Margarets Bay Rd., Black Point

The municipality says water is also available at the Sheet Harbour Ground Search & Rescue facility at 44 Behie Rd. on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The services will be assessed on a weekly basis.

Showers also available

Those with dry wells can also shower at the following municipal recreation facilities:

• Canada Games Centre - 26 Thomas Raddall Dr. from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Prospect Road Community Centre - 2141 Prospect Rd. from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Cole Harbour Place - 51 Forest Hills Pkwy. from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends

Residents are asked to check in at the front desk of the facilities and memberships are not needed.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page