Customers ‘urged’ to follow conservation measures, says Halifax Water

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

Halifax’s water utility says it has not seen a “significant decrease” in demand in the weeks since it implemented voluntary water conservation measures, and it is urging people to comply.

On August 5, Halifax Water asked customers to reduce their water use, saying a lack of precipitation that has led to drought conditions in the Halifax area has also led to lower-than-normal water levels at Lake Major and Pockwock Lake.

In an update on Thursday, the utility suggests people are not using less water.

“Without significant precipitation and increased conservation measures, these water levels will continue to lower and mandatory conservation measures will be required,” reads a statement from Halifax Water.

It has asked people to voluntarily follow certain measures, like reducing toilet flushing and shortening showers, turning off the taps when not in use and washing only full loads of laundry and dishes.

It is also asking people to limit washing vehicles, filling pools and watering lawns and gardens, though it says fruit and vegetable gardens are permitted.