No ‘significant’ drop in usage despite urge to conserve water in Halifax: utility

Halifax Water could impose mandatory conservation measures for customers.

Halifax Water is continuing to ask residents of the Halifax Regional Municipality to conserve water due to ongoing dry conditions, as there has not been a “significant decrease in demand” since the utility first implemented the voluntary conservation measures on Aug. 5.

The utility says water levels at Lake Major and Pockwock Lake remain lower than normal.

“Despite recent rain, much more precipitation is needed to return to normal levels,” reads a news release from Halifax Water.

“Without significant precipitation and increased conservation measures, these water levels will continue to lower and mandatory conservation measures will be required.”

Halifax Water is asking everyone who lives or works in a building serviced by the utility to follow the voluntary conservation measures until further notice.

“By reducing our water usage, we can help ease the demand on our lakes/source water and reduce or delay the need for mandatory water conservation measures,” reads the release.

The conservation measures include:

• If it’s yellow, let it mellow.
• Shorten your showers.
• Turn off the tap when not in use.
• Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes.

Halifax Water also ask residents to limit activities that use excess water, such as:

• watering lawns
• washing vehicles
• filling pools

A full list of ways to conserve water and a weekly water level update are available on Halifax Water’s website.

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