Dry weather causing headaches for Nova Scotians on dug wells

Longtime West Hants resident Dawn Dunphy is facing a challenging situation as her dug well has run dry once again. In the midst of a prolonged dry spell, Dunphy is forced to conserve water by limiting her daily activities such as laundry, flushing the toilet, and showering. This is the driest fall she has experienced in 26 years, leading her to pay for water deliveries to fill up her well twice last month.

The dry weather in parts of the province has not only affected Dunphy but also many other residents who rely on dug wells for their water supply. Homeowners are now paying to truck water in and fill up their wells more frequently than usual, some for the first time. The Canadian Drought Monitor reports that most of the province was abnormally or moderately dry in October. Despite recent rainfall, it has not been enough to deeply penetrate the ground and replenish wells.

Dunphy attributes the extreme weather conditions to climate change, noting higher winds and drier stretches in her area. She expresses a sense of helplessness, emphasizing the urgent need for substantial rainfall to alleviate the water shortage.

Meanwhile, water delivery companies like J & B Water are struggling to meet the increasing demand for bulk water. Jason Bellefontaine, the operator of J & B Water, describes this fall as the busiest he has ever seen. With three water trucks operating non-stop, Bellefontaine highlights the challenges of keeping up with the high volume of calls for water deliveries.

The dry conditions have led to stress and financial strain on residents relying on water deliveries. Bellefontaine urges people on dug wells to regularly check their water levels and not wait until they run out of water, as it puts additional pressure on everyone involved. He advises prioritizing farms, elderly clients, and households with infants to ensure they have access to essential water supplies.

As the community grapples with the impacts of the ongoing drought, residents like Dawn Dunphy remain hopeful for a good, hard rain to replenish their water sources and alleviate the strain caused by the water shortage.