Wells drying up in West Pubnico, risk of fire increasing

The Municipality of the District of Argyle's emergency management operations co-ordinator sayshot and dry conditions haveled to wells drying up and increased the risk offires in West Pubnico, N.S.

"The water crisis is quite extreme in terms of the lack of water in most people's wells ... That's the main crisis right now," said JanineMuise.

As of July 31, the federal Department ofAgriculture and Agri-Food reported the area has beenabnormally dry but not in a state of drought. CBC meteorologist Kalin Mitchell said southwestern Nova Scotia sawits driest June and Julyweather since 1880.

Dried up wells

MuisesaidpeopleinWestPubnicohavewells,eitherdugorartesian.Shesaidanyoneinneedofwatershould
purchase some from local businesses in the area. She recommends anyone whocannot leave their homescallthe municipality for assistance.

"When the wells are dry, there's always the possibility of contamination. There hasn't been a boil order, but people should just be aware of what they're drinking," said Muise.

The EMO coordinator for the municipality says they're reminding people to be cautiousbecause of the increased fire risk. There is a burn ban across Nova Scotia and a number of wildfires burning.

"I don't think too many people are crying about brown lawns because they don't have to mow them, but the emergency management part of the municipality is always looking to see if there are going to be any fires," said Muise.

'Very easy to start a fire'

Muise said smokers should be extra careful when disposing of cigarettes.

"When it's dry like this, it's very easy to start a fire and it's very hard to put it out with winds and the dryness," she said.

Muise said she can't remember the last time there was a drought in the area, but said being part of the EMO team has given her a new outlook.

"When it was really dry before, it just meant a possibility of lacking water in a well. Now it's a whole community that may be suffering and now it's a whole community that may be at risk for fires. We just ask people to be careful," she said.

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