More municipalities provide drinking water, free showers for residents with dry wells
More municipalities in Nova Scotia are offering free drinking water and showers for residents affected by the drought.
East Hants and West Hants join the Halifax Regional Municipality, which on announced on Wednesday it would be make drinking water available and free to residents with dry wells.
Norval Mitchell, an East Hants councillor, says residents from his district are concerned about low water levels.
"Some people just haven't budgeted in for extra water during the drought conditions, so it's always good to help your neighbours," he said.
The municipalities are also recommending water conservation measures, like reducing the length and frequency of showers and avoiding outdoor water use, like watering lawns, washing vehicles or filling swimming pools.
"Everybody's trying to get water and to just hopefully ride out the dry spell," said Mitchell. "There's only so much water."
Residents of East Hants can use the showers at the aquatic centre in Elmsdale during normal operating hours. They can also pick up potable water by bringing hand-held containers to the same location.
Hours to receive potable water are in East Hants are:
Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m.– 8 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m.– 5 p.m.
West Hants has 160 four-litre bottles of drinking water for immediate distribution, with an additional 960 jugs expected to arrive on Monday.
Residents can get two 4-litre bottles of drinking water per household on Sunday at the Municipality of the District of West Hants office, in Windsor, between noon and 4 p.m.
Water companies struggle to meet demand as N.S. faces dry conditions
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