Repost - (Updated) Forested areas and forested parks access changes by county, provincial burn ban changes voluntary & mandatory water conservation in HRM / Fireworks ban / Wildfire Season Extended Provincewide
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**** Halifax Water Release
Repost - Mandatory Water Conservation Measures in effect for customers serviced by Lake Major
Halifax Water is implementing mandatory Stage 1 water restrictions for the Lake Major effective immediately. This impacts water service for the communities of Dartmouth, Burnside, Cole Harbour, Westphal, North Preston and Eastern Passage (see attached map for affected service areas).
This is due to the ongoing dry conditions and lack of precipitation. As a result, Lake Major has moved to the warning phase, which triggers the need for these mandatory Stage 1 restrictions.
Customers may use this interactive map to determine if they are serviced by the Lake Major water supply.
In order to conserve water, Halifax Water requests that all residents and businesses supplied by the Lake Major Water Supply Plant follow mandatory Stage 1 water conservation measures until further notice. The following activities are prohibited under mandatory Stage 1 conservation:
· Watering lawns.
· Washing vehicles.
· Filling pools.
· Watering golf courses.
· Bulk Fill Stations serviced by Lake Major will be closed
With the move to mandatory, residential and commercial customers are now expected to adhere to these measures. Failure to do so may result in a warning, a non-compliance fine, or suspension of service.
These mandatory water conservation measures are being implemented to maintain essential water service for all customers in the Lake Major service area. The goal is to help reduce demand until the rainfall can replenish the lake and remove/delay the need for an engineered pumping solution. Additional mandatory Stage 2 restrictions may be implemented in the future if lake levels are not replenished.
Halifax Water is also asking customers serviced by the Lake Major Water Supply to consider the following additional measures to conserve water:
· If it’s yellow, let it mellow. Depending on the efficiency of your toilet, each flush uses between 6 to 26 litres of water.
· Shorten your showers. Cut back on the frequency and length of showers.
· Turn off the tap when you don’t need it. Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth, shaving, washing your face etc. Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes.
Halifax Water customers serviced by Pockwock Lake remain under voluntary conservation measures.
Visit halifaxwater.ca/reducing-your-water-wastewater-use for a full list of ways to conserve water.
To learn more and find further resources and a weekly water level update visit Water Conservation in Effect for HRM | Halifax Water
For more information on Halifax Water, please check www.halifaxwater.ca, visit us on YouTube, or Twitter @HalifaxWater, Facebook, or call our Customer Care Centre at 902-420-9287.
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**** NS Gov Release
Repost - Woods Restrictions Lifted Except in Annapolis County
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Restrictions on travel and activities in the woods are lifted in all remaining counties except Annapolis as of 4 p.m. today, September 18.
The change applies to Cumberland, Hants, Lunenburg, Kings, Queens, Shelburne, Digby and Yarmouth counties. Restrictions were lifted in the other nine counties previously.
The restrictions will remain in place in Annapolis County until October 15 – regarded as the end of wildfire season – or until conditions allow them to be lifted.
“We’ve looked at improving conditions and also at the impact these necessary restrictions have had on businesses, which we’ve tried to minimize all along,” said Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton. “We’re at a point where, for both reasons, it’s time to lift these restrictions everywhere except Annapolis County, where crews are continuing to fight the Long Lake wildfire.”
The burn ban remains in place for the entire province until October 15 or until conditions improve further.
The fine for violating the woods restrictions or burn ban is $25,000.
Quick Facts:
- decisions on restricting woods access are based on data modelling that measures how much dry, flammable material has built up that could easily start a fire
- the woods restrictions were put in place August 5 through a proclamation under the Forests Act; the provincewide ban on open fires started on July 30
- people with questions about the restrictions can call their local Department of Natural Resources office
- in counties where the woods restrictions have been lifted, hunting season will proceed as usual
- in Annapolis County, hunting in non-wooded, open spaces (such as fields) can go ahead as usual; if getting to the open space requires a short trip down a trail, that is fine
Additional Resources:
Woods restrictions proclamation updated September 18: https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/woods-proclamation_2025-09-18.pdf
News release – Woods Restrictions to be Lifted in Pictou, Colchester Counties: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/09/11/woods-restrictions-be-lifted-pictou-colchester-counties
News release – Woods Restrictions Lifted in Some Counties, Remain in Others: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/08/29/woods-restrictions-lifted-some-counties-remain-others
News release – Travel, Activities in Woods Restricted to Prevent Wildfires: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/08/05/travel-activities-woods-restricted-prevent-wildfires
News release – Provincewide Burn Ban in Effect: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/07/30/provincewide-burn-ban-effect
Department of Natural Resources offices: https://novascotia.ca/natr/staffdir/offices_map.asp
Natural Resources on X: https://x.com/NS_DNR
**** Via HRM
Repost - Update on water conservation and support during dry conditions – August 13
The Halifax Regional Municipality is experiencing extremely dry conditions due to a prolonged period without significant rainfall. This has led to lower-than-normal surface water levels and reduced groundwater supplies across the municipality. Many residents with private wells are reporting shortages or completely dry systems. Prolonged drought can also strain municipal water supplies, making conservation efforts critical for all.
Voluntary water conservation
As of August 5, Halifax Water is asking all residents to take immediate voluntary steps to reduce water use. This helps protect our shared supply and may delay the need for mandatory restrictions.
Learn more about conservation tips from Halifax Water’s website.
Drinking water available to residents with dry wells
The Halifax Regional Municipality, in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia, Ground Search & Rescue and Joint Emergency Management volunteer teams, is making emergency drinking water available for free to residents experiencing dry well conditions.
Beginning today through September 10, residents can collect:
Four litres per person per day
Up to one week’s supply per household at a time
Additional water is available for pets, based on their weight.
Water will be available on Wednesdays, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:
Station 39 – 14 Highway 336, Upper Musquodoboit
Water is also available at the Sheet Harbour Ground Search & Rescue facility at 44 Behie Road on Wednesdays, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
These services will be assessed on a weekly basis. Any changes will be communicated through public service announcements, website updates and social media.
Showers available to residents with dry wells
Beginning today, residents with dry wells can shower at the following municipal recreation facilities:
Weekdays: 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 to 9 p.m.
Weekends: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Residents are asked to check in at the front desk. A membership is not required to access the showers. Please check our website to verify the hours of operation for each facility. Those 17 and under should be accompanied by an adult.
Restrictions to municipal park spaces
Due to the Fire Proclamation – Travel Ban issued by the Province of Nova Scotia, restrictions are in place for wooded areas in municipal parks until October 15 (unless lifted earlier).
Fully wooded parks are closed, while parks with a mix of wooded and non-wooded areas have only the non-wooded areas open. Residents are reminded these restrictions will be enforced, with fines up to $25,000 for violations. For more information, visit our website.
For more information about water support and conservation, visit our website.
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Repost - Residents advised of the lifting of restrictions on access to woods in municipality
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that effective 4 p.m. today, Friday, Aug. 29, the Province of Nova Scotia has lifted restrictions on access to woods within the Halifax region as part of a partial lifting of the
