The Region of Queens released this graphic on Friday morning to illustrate water levels in the Town Lake Reservoir (Credit: Region of Queens Municipality)

UPDATED Nov. 22 at 10:15 a.m.

The Region of Queens is asking its municipal water users to cut their consumption in half.

The municipality first sounded the alarm on Nov. 1 about dropping water levels in the Town Lake Reservoir. 

Since then, the situation has only worsened. Officials say people have not reduced their water use enough to deal with the lack of rainfall.

The area has received only about 45 millimetres of rain since the first of October. CAO Cody Joudry told QCCR last week that the region would need at least 50 mm of rain a week to improve things.

For the past few weeks, the region has appealed to the 1,400 residential and commercial water utility customers in Liverpool and Brooklyn to conserve water. 

On Wednesday afternoon, the region issued its strongest advisory yet, asking customers to cut their usage by 50 per cent.

The advisory does not apply to the Cowie Well.

Mayor Scott Christian told QCCR on Thursday that the newest advisory was necessary because water levels continue to drop.

“We’ve just continued on the same trajectory towards a situation we don’t want to find ourselves in. The updated (communications) strategy is around giving people a target to work toward to manage their own consumption or water conservation efforts.”

The region released more information on Friday morning, explaining the current water levels in more detail, including a graphic to illustrate.

“At full capacity, the Town Lake Reservoir has a maximum depth of nine feet above the water intake pipe,” according to the release. “Currently, the water level stands at six feet. If levels reach five feet, it triggers the Warning Level, where reduced water pressure could impact the entire system. While the system is operating at lower pressure, it remains functional.”

Some people who commented on the region’s latest post on Facebook said they’re frustrated with the region’s efforts to put the word out.

Christian said he understands people’s discontent. He said council plans to discuss the region’s long-term water plans and better communication with residents at their meeting on Monday evening.

“I think those are all good and fair questions to be asking right now. … It’s something that members of the council definitely take seriously. The things that we need to right now right now, is we need to conserve water right now.”

People also wondered why the municipality is flushing some fire hydrants in certain areas. Christian said he appreciates people pointing that out, but said they need to do that to avoid contaminating the water supply. Still, he said officials will look at ways to limit the flow of water from those hydrants.

The region also responded on Friday morning to concerns about the hydrant flushing.

“These ‘flusher locations’ are essential to maintain water quality throughout the system,” the release said. “The municipality has reduced flushing rates from 40 to under 5 gallons per minute to conserve water while ensuring safe potable water distribution.”

Christian told QCCR on Thursday that the best thing to do is for all users to cut their consumption as much as possible.

“But what’s most important urgently right now is to try our best as a community to conserve water as much as possible.” 

Municipal water users have dealt with frustration before. Controversy over an eight-week boil water order in the summer of 2023 forced the Queens water utility to give customers a one-time break on their bills.

Other water utilities across the province are also struggling with dwindling water supply. The Halifax region issued water conservation notices last week.

The Region of Queens is asking people to take shorter showers and take baths less often. Flush toilets only when necessary, reduce the number of times you do laundry or dishes, fix leaky pipes and report any suspected leaks in water lines to the municipality at 902-354-7170.

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com

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Photo Ed Halverson

The Region of Queens has lifted the boil water advisory for users of the water utility.

The boil-water advisory has been in place around the Liverpool area since the treatment station was struck by lightning Aug 9.

The municipality is now exploring how to compensate the affected users for the inconvenience.

A resident asked if the Region would be issuing a refund to help people offset the increased power costs of boiling water as well as account for money spent on bottled water during the public comment period of the September 12 council meeting,

Initially, Mayor Darlene Norman said the Region of Queens wouldn’t be providing a refund because the utility is its own legal entity and rates are set by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. However, that stance seems to have softened at the Sep 26 council meeting.

Norman says the Region can’t simply give money back to users, they need permission from the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, the body responsible for regulating the water utility.

“Of course, there’s not going to be a perfect solution to any of this,” said Norman. “However, council decided that we are going to have staff request from the UARB a 70 percent reduction on the consumption rate.”

Norman says if the ask is approved then the reduction will be applied to the next bill.

“May not really indicate how much water people consumed during this period because this period crossed over two bills,” said Norman. “There’s, I believe, 23 days on the last bill that was just issued and the upcoming bill which goes out in late December, payable January, would have like, another 20 odd days on it.”

Throughout the boil-water advisory Cowie well was available to supply fresh, potable water to residents.

The boil water order was lifted just after 11:00am Thursday Oct 5 once the municipality confirmed that water quality production issues have been resolved, and the Water Utility is again meeting regulatory requirements.

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Photo Ed Halverson

Over a month after the Region of Queens issued a boil water advisory people are beginning to wonder if they’ll be compensated for the inconvenience.

Water utility customers around the Liverpool area haven’t had drinkable water since the treatment station was struck by lightning Aug 9.

Throughout the boil-water advisory Cowie well continues to be available to supply fresh, potable water to residents.

During the public comment period of the September 12 council meeting, a resident asked council if a refund would be coming to help people offset the increased power costs of boiling water as well as the money put out to buy water.

Mayor Darlene Norman says the Region of Queens won’t be providing a refund as the utility is its own legal entity and rates are set by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.

Norman went on to explain the utility gets all its operating income from customers and is not part of the Region of Queens finances.

“Crediting is simply taking money out of your pocket and then hauling it back out the next month,” said Norman. “The utility must support itself from the customers within it. It’s not part of our Region of Queens bookwork. It has its own bookwork, and the utility must be supported from the users of the utility.”

Norman says the ongoing repairs are costing the utility a great deal and it is highly unlikely customers will see any rebate on their bills.

“Bills are based on water consumption, and it does not have to be potable water, it’s based on water consumption. And although many people understand and realize that this is an inconvenience,” said Norman, “it is, it is hardship for people who are boiling water, who have to travel to the well, which is free water and that is perfectly safe and potable, but it’s highly unlikely that there will be any change reflected on the bill in relation to consumption.”

The latest report from Mayor Norman indicated the utility is waiting to stabilize the power going into the plant before making the repairs to avoid any damage to the replacement equipment.

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Region of Queens Administration Building. Photo Ed Halverson

Region of Queens Council was back with a jam-packed agenda in the first meeting after summer.

Council meets just once a month during July and August and have now returned to their regular twice monthly schedule.

Council heard from the public to start the meeting. A question was raised whether water utility customers would receive a refund from the municipality considering they haven’t had drinkable water in over a month since the treatment station was struck by lightning.

Mayor Darlene Norman says the Region of Queens won’t be providing a refund as the utility is its own legal entity and rates are set by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.

Next council awarded the South Shore Multicultural Association $3,000 from the Community Investment Fund to assist with National Day of Truth and Reconciliation events being held at the Hank Snow Museum at the end of the month.

Council then heard from finance staff who reported the municipality had a $1.6 million operating surplus last year. Mayor Norman says the surplus can be attributed to a number of factors including: $1.2 million in unexpected income from deed transfer tax and investment returns, as well as $400,000 that went unspent on staff positions the Region has been unable to fill.

Two contracts were then awarded following request for proposals involving an evaluation of the Region’s Information Technology systems as well as a staff and council compensation review.

Mayor Norman says it’s been many years since either was properly assessed and the municipality needs to know which IT systems work and why.

The compensation review will be undertaken to determine if staff and council pay are in line with what other municipalities and the private sector are offering.

Council went on to discuss Queens County Rails to Trails and the Queens County ATV Associations’ request to redesignate the trail corridor from West Street, behind the municipal offices building to Silver Rock Road to multi-use. Currently that trail only permits pedestrians, and the organizations would like it opened for off-highway vehicles and bicycles.

The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities will be hosting their fall convention and Region of Queens decided to send five members of council.

Finally, the Region will be applying for intervenor status at an upcoming hearing at the Nova Scotia Aquaculture Board regarding a site expansion at the salmon farm in Liverpool Bay.

The next council meeting will be held September 26 in council chambers beginning at 6:00pm.

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Photo Ed Halverson

The Region of Queens has released more information about the event that caused the boil water advisory.

According to a release, lightning strikes from a passing electrical storm impacted the South Queens Water Treatment Facility on the morning of August 9th

Key infrastructure within the treatment facility was damaged causing disruptions to the treatment process which led to a lack of chlorine disinfection residual across the water distribution network.

Staff notified the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and a boil water advisory was issued.

The water treatment facility is operational, and Region of Queens Water Utility Staff are continuing to monitor water quality.

At the time of the incident, the municipality issued a directive for Region of Queens Water Utility Customers to conserve water. That directive was lifted on Aug 10.

Municipal officials say the boil water advisory will remain in effect until at least Aug 24. It won’t be lifted they can confirm enough disinfection residual is restored throughout the system and testing is completed as per the Department of Environment.

Consumers are advised to boil water for at least 1 minute before drinking, preparing infant formulas, preparing juices, and ice cubes, washing fruits and vegetables, cooking, dental hygiene, and any other activity of requiring human consumption.

Anyone on municipal water should monitor Region of Queens webpage and social media as well as local media for updates.

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E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com

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Photo Ed Halverson

Residents of Liverpool and parts of the surrounding areas are under a boil water advisory.

The Region of Queens Municipality is advising anyone serviced by Region of Queens Water Utility to boil water for at least 1 minute before drinking, preparing infant formulas, preparing juices, and ice cubes, washing fruits and vegetables, cooking, dental hygiene, and any other activity requiring human consumption. This is to be done until further notice.

Mayor Darlene Norman says the utility was damaged during Tuesday night’s storm.

“As we all know thunder and lightning storms have been dancing all around us and lightning has been dancing around the water treatment plant and strikes have caused equipment not to be working at the levels it should,” said Norman. “So, we have no idea how long it will take to get our equipment back on the stream to which is required, so therefore a boil water advisory has been issued at this point in time.”

Norman says the storm damage has impacted capacity at the water treatment plant.Residents are asked to immediately conserve water until further notice and avoid activities that use unnecessary water, such as washing vehicles, as well as watering lawns and gardens.

The municipality is closing the Spray Pad at Etil Militam’mk Universally-Designed Play Park to conserve water until further notice.

Potable water is available from Cowie Well.

Residents are asked to follow the Region of Queens web page and social media as well as local media outlets for updates on the boil water advisory.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com

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