Halifax Water asks customers to reduce water usage

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

The water utility in the Halifax area is asking its customers to use less water.

Halifax Water says the voluntary conservation measures are necessary due to a prolonged period of low precipitation. The utility says water levels in its supply areas have not been replenished, and those levels will continue to drop with no significant rain in the forecast.

“To conserve water, Halifax Water is requesting that all customers and those who live or work within a building serviced by Halifax Water follow voluntary water conservation measures until further notice,” read a media release from the utility. “By reducing our water usage, we can help ease the demand on our lakes/source water and reduce or delay the need for mandatory water conservation measures.”

Halifax Water is asking customers to do the following:

• Flush the toilet less than you normally would (“If it’s yellow, let it mellow”)
• Shorten showers by cutting back on length and frequency
• Turn off the tap when not in use while brushing teeth, shaving, etc.
• Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes
• Limit watering of lawns, washing vehicles and filling pools

The conservation measures come as the province of Nova Scotia has instituted a ban on all open fires and introduced restrictions on travel and activity in the woods amid drought-like conditions and a heightened wildfire risk.