STELLARTON, N.S. — Stellarton, N.S. – Residents and business owners in the town of Stellarton may be looking at restrictions in water during the summer of 2020.
“Every year since I’ve been here, typically, we’ve been getting close to drought levels,” said Stellarton engineer Blaine Murray during his report to council on Sept. 9.
“This year hasn’t been as bad, but last year we were at a position that we had to conserve water, or we should be looking at conserving water.”
Stellarton’s approval to withdraw water comes from the provincial department of environment. The river’s flow rate is measured in cubic meters-per-second (m3/s).
If the flow rate approaches 1.33 / s or falls below it, then the town of Stellarton needs to have a contingency plan in place, according to the conditions of the water withdrawal approval between the province and the town.
Last summer, the East River’s flow rate fell below that 1.33 ecological flow rate.
“And by the studies that were done earlier, we’re below that probably about a month a year,” said Murray during the council meeting.
According to the Department of Environment spokesperson Rachel Boomer, those flow rates in place are “to ensure there is enough water for drinking, bathing, cooking and for aquatic life.”
To address this The Town of Stellarton is required to do two things.
First, a device called an ultrasonic level reader has been installed in a manhole near the East River. This device, located outside the Stellarton water treatment facility, measures the river’s elevation.
That information, coupled with regular measures of the river’s speed, provides the town with reliable estimates on the East River’s flow rate.
The second is that Stellarton is required to submit a low-flow contingency plan. This plan will determine when water restrictions will be in place for residents and businesses, and what those restrictions will look like.
A three-stage contingency plan, restricting outdoor water use was submitted by Murray for approval on Sept. 9 and passed by Stellarton Town Council.
Stage 1 – Alternative Day Water Use
When the East River flow reaches 1.7 m3/s the following activities would be restricted:
•Sprinkling, watering or irrigating of shrubbery, trees lawns, grass, plants, vegetables, flowers, etc.
•Filling or topping of pools
•Washing of motor vehicles
Even numbered residential and business addresses would be exempt from this restriction on even calendar days (2nd, 4th, 6th etc.).
Odd numbered addresses would be exempt from this restriction on off calendar days (1s, 3rd, 5th, etc.).
Stage 2 – Twice A Week Water Use
When the East River flow reaches 1.5 m3/s the same activities would be restricted.
Even numbered residential and business addresses would be exempt from the restriction on Saturday and Tuesdays and between the times of 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight on both days.
Odd numbered addresses would be exempt from the restriction on Sundays and Wednesdays and at the same times.
Stage 3 – No Outdoor Water Use
When the East River flow reached 1.4 m3/s there would be a total ban on outdoor water use until the flow rate rises back up.
This device which reads the East River's elevation is installed just outside the Stellarton water treatment facility. Information collected on the river's elevation is used to help calculate flow rate is and monitored on screens inside the facility.
Next summer?
“I know you don’t have a crystal ball, but what’s your thoughts for next summer?” asked mayor Danny MacGillivray, once Murray had finished his presentation.
Murray suggested that, given the trends in the East River’s flow over the last dry periods in the summer that the Town of Stellarton could expect Stage 3 water restrictions.
“The few summers that I’ve been here, I would assume we were below the 1.4 ecological maintenance flow,” responded Murray. “That would mean no outdoor use while the flow rates are down.”
By-Law?
The plan was unanimously approved and will be submitted to the Department of Environment on Oct. 31.
Currently, the plan leaves it up to the residents of Stellarton to comply with it or not. However, discussions are underway to turn it into an enforceable by-law.
“This is regulatory. This is mandatory, we have to do this,” said Murray referring to the province’s terms and conditions for water withdrawal. “But also, it’s good stewardship of the natural recourses we have. We are drawing water from the river, so we have to be good stewards of it as well.”
