Businesses in St. Peter’s concerned by low water levels

St. Peter’s Businesses Concerned About Water Supply After Leak

After a scorching summer with minimal rainfall, several businesses in St. Peter’s, N.S., are facing concerns about the area’s water supply. The St. Peter’s, Samsonville and Area Water Utility recently reported a drop in water levels due to a significant leak, prompting a mandatory conservation order for water users since Aug. 5.

Local businesses, including Island Tails dog grooming and the Bras d’Or Lakes Inn, are feeling the impact of the water shortage. Dog groomer Aurora Marchand shared her struggles with conserving water at her business, where grooming dogs requires a significant amount of water. Meanwhile, Wendy Abbott, manager of the Bras d’Or Lakes Inn, mentioned implementing water-saving measures and trucking in water for staff and plants.

The community has been advised to adhere to the water conservation order, which includes restrictions on activities like washing cars and filling pools. Violators risk having their water service shut off. Despite efforts to address the leak, limited information is available about the severity of the water supply shortage.

The Village of St. Peter’s took to Facebook to address the emergency situation, with leaks causing a rapid loss of water. The water utility, separate from the village, is incurring significant costs to bring in outside water to supplement the supply. These expenses are expected to result in water rate increases for customers.

While the water utility service declined an interview request, the village emphasized that the current situation is part of regular operations. As the community grapples with water scarcity, residents and businesses are urged to prioritize water conservation efforts to mitigate the impact of the ongoing leak.