Nova Scotia offering $6.3M for community projects that combat drought, water shortages

Water storage devices are pictured. (Source: Province of Nova Scotia)

As Nova Scotia gets ready for summer, the provincial government is offering $6.3 million to community projects that seek to combat drought and water shortages.

The Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, which launched on Thursday, supports projects that adapt to climate change. The province is offering $6.3 million to municipalities, non-profits, community organizations, post-secondary institutions and Mi’kmaw communities.

“Projections tell us that drought and water shortages remain a risk because of global climate change,” said Timothy Halman, minister of environment and climate change, in a news release. “This means water conditions in Nova Scotia are changing. Drought, heavy rainfall and other events can affect water availability, water quality and infrastructure.

“Informed, collaborative and innovative action, however, can make our communities resilient to drought periods and water shortages.”

Potential water resiliency projects include:

• community wells
• backup water systems
• rainwater harvesting
• water pipelines

The Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund launched in 2021 and so far has provided roughly $13 million for projects. The deadline to apply is July 23.

Nova Scotia has also launched a water resources portal that brings together data on rivers, lakes, water quality, weather conditions and more to make it easier for municipalities, researchers and residents to take informed action.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page