Ongoing water shortage shows no sign of easing as dry spell continues

Residents in Memramcook, N.B. facing water shortages can fill up tanks of water at distribution centre.

Mid-October has arrived, but for many in the Maritimes the summer’s dry spell shows no sign of easing. Communities relying on dug wells are facing an ongoing water shortage, a situation that’s causing growing concern for residents and officials alike.

In Memramcook, N.B., where half the community depends on wells, the situation has become critical.

“The panic started to set in when I started to see dirt coming out of my taps,” said Mireille Chiasson, a resident of 14 years.

“I’m not quite sure how the community is going to get through the winter because we’re going to have to, I think the village will need to look at longer kind of plans to help people out.”

To address the crisis, the village of Memramcook announced late last week it will offer financial assistance to affected residents, covering 75 per cent of water delivery costs up to $1,000. A water distribution site has also been set up, allowing residents to fill up tanks.

“For a small fee of $15, they’ll be able to fill up a tank up to 1000L of water,” explained Mayor Maxime Boudreau.

“So, I think it’s going to be well received. We’re hoping it’s going to fix part of the problem.”

The mayor added there is good news for the future, with some well residents potentially being connected to the municipal water system by next year.

“We’ll definitely continue to lobby and to request for more funding from both federal and provincial government to add much residents as we can on the, on the water system,” he said.

One Memramcook resident said their struggle began in early August.

“September 2 we had Carter’s dump 30,000 litres of water into the well but the water table kept falling and it was almost dry again 10 to 14 days later. We have had temporary water hookup (1,000L IBC tote with pump + pressure tank) since September 19,” they said. “Our village has been helping subsidize water delivery which has helped us financially get through.”

The biggest concern now is the approaching cold weather, as the temporary water will freeze.

In Nova Scotia’s Cumberland County, mandatory water restrictions were put in place late in the summer and remain in effect.

Justin Waugh-Cress, with Public Works, noted the persistent low levels.

“So every time we get rain, we see a little spike for a day or two and then back down to the level we’ve been at for about a month now,” he said.

Officials in Cumberland County are contemplating the possibility of utilizing a backup well of water, a move that would necessitate a boil order for residents and businesses, including restaurants.

“But we want them to be prepared so that we need to take that extra step that the brook doesn’t come up if it keeps, going down,” Waugh-Cress stated. “If we don’t get the rain now, we could see ourselves in that position. Sounds like a broken record, but I’m hoping for a long period of rainfall, and a nice, thick snowpack this winter that melts slowly into the groundwater aquifers. It would be ideal.”

Meanwhile, residents like Chiasson are resorting to desperate measures.

“Definitely praying,” she said with a sigh. “A day of rain is not what we need. We need, like, a week of solid rain.”

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