Some mandatory water use restrictions introduced for areas supplied by Lake Major

CITYnews halifax By Mark Hodgins

Halifax Water is bringing in some mandatory water use restrictions as low water levels continue to be a problem at Lake Major.

The water body supplies 118,000 people in the communities of Dartmouth, Burnside, Cole Harbour, Westphal, North Preston and Eastern Passage.

On Nov. 14, Halifax Water asked customers in those areas to voluntarily conserve water use due to lower-than-normal water levels at Lake Major.

“While recent rainfall has aided in water levels, a significant amount of rain is still required for the lake to return to normal levels,” said a Public Service Announcement from the utility on Tuesday.

A map from Halifax Water shows the impacted communities in red. (Halifax Water)

Halifax Water says effective immediately, mandatory restrictions have been introduced for the following activities:

• Lawn, garden, plant watering or other outside water usage is prohibited
• Car/RV or other vehicle washing at home is prohibited
• Bulk water fill-up stations on the Lake Major system are now closed (haulers must use alternative locations identified by Halifax Water)
• While most of these activities are now out of season, please note that the use of water supplied by the Lake Major system is prohibited for making backyard ice surfaces

People in the affected areas are also being asked to continue following the voluntary conservation measures, including limiting toilet flushing and shortening showers.

Halifax Water said there is still plenty of water in the lake, but the current design of Lake Major’s water intake does not account for significantly lower water levels and as the water drops, it gets closer to the intake and will eventually leave it dry.

A new intake system at Lake Major is expected to be completed sometime in 2029.