UPDATE - December 9, 2024
Lake Major Conservation Measures Lifted - Effective Immediately
Halifax Water is advising residential and commercial customers that the Lake Major voluntary conservation measures issued on November 14 and the mandatory restrictions issued on November 25 have been lifted effective immediately. This is for all customers serviced by the Lake Major Water Supply Plant, which serves the communities of Dartmouth, Burnside, Cole Harbour, Westphal, North Preston, and Eastern Passage (see map).
Customer conservation efforts helped decrease overall water usage within the system between 5 per cent and 10 per cent. In addition to customer efforts, the region has experienced significant rainfall over the past few weeks, with the water level of Lake Major currently at approximately 18.95 metres. The reservoir is now within the normal water level, and all voluntary and mandatory restrictions have been removed.
Effective immediately, Halifax Water will also be resuming hydrant flow testing and reopening bulk water fill stations at Lake Major.
Halifax Water would like to thank all the customers who have conserved their water. Your cooperation and patience over the past few weeks have been appreciated and have helped ensure continuity of service for all customers on the system.
UPDATE - November 26, 2024
Water Conservation Measures Continue for Customers served by Lake Major
Halifax Water is continuing to ask customers supplied by the Lake Major Supply Plant to conserve water use. While recent rainfall has aided in water levels, a significant amount of rain is still required for the lake to return to normal levels. Lake Major is the water supply that serves the communities of Dartmouth, Burnside, Cole Harbour, Westphal, North Preston and Eastern Passage (see attached map for affected service areas). Customers may use this interactive map to determine if they are serviced by the Lake Major water supply.
Halifax Water is still requesting that all residents and businesses supplied by the Lake Major Water Supply Plant follow voluntary water conservation measures until further notice. These measures include:
- 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.
To learn more about water conservation, visit halifaxwater.ca/reducing-your-water-wastewater-use.
Mandatory Restriction for Certain Water Usage:
As part of the next stage of the Lake Major Water Supply contingency plans, mandatory restrictions are being introduced - effective immediately - for the following activities:
- Lawn, garden, plant watering or other outside water usage is prohibited.
- Car/RV or other vehicle washing at home is prohibited
- Bulk water fill-up stations on the Lake Major system are now closed (haulers must use alternative locations identified by Halifax Water)
- While most of these activities are now out of season, please note that the use of water supplied by the Lake Major system is prohibited for making backyard ice surfaces.
Halifax Water would like to thank all the customers that have conserved their water. Please continue your conservation efforts.
Halifax Water customers are also encouraged to use their Customer Connect accounts to monitor their water use. Log in or sign up for an account here: customerconnect.halifaxwater.ca
To learn more and find further resources and a weekly water level update visit halifaxwater.ca/lake-major-voluntary-water-conservation-measures
Halifax Water customers not located within the boundaries shown on the map are not impacted.
Original PSA - November 14, 2024
A prolonged period of low precipitation has resulted in lower-than-normal water levels in Lake Major. Lake Major is the water supply that serves the communities of Dartmouth, Burnside, Cole Harbour, Westphal, North Preston and Eastern Passage (see attached map for affected service areas). 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 is requesting that all residents and businesses supplied by the Lake Major Water Supply Plant follow voluntary water conservation measures until further notice. These measures include:
- 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.
Visit Reducing Your Water & Wastewater Use | Halifax Water for a full list of ways to conserve water.
These voluntary water conservation measures are being implemented to maintain essential water service for all customers in the Lake Major service area. These voluntary actions will help reduce demand until the rainfall can replenish the lake and remove the need for an engineered solution.
To learn more and find further resources and a weekly water level update visit Lake Major Voluntary Water Conservation Measures | Halifax Water
Halifax Water customers not located within the boundaries shown on the map are not impacted.
