News release

Provincial Parks Help Residents Affected by Water Shortage

Lands and Forestry (July 2018 - Aug. 2021)

Parts of southwest Nova Scotia are experiencing drought conditions amid low rainfall this summer. That’s why provincial parks are welcoming people in the affected communities to use their showers and access drinking water starting today, Aug. 31.

The following camping parks are making designated facilities available for showers and water access between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. each day until further notice:

  • Graves Island Provincial Park, Lunenburg Co.
  • The Islands Provincial Park, Shelburne Co.
  • Ellenwood Lake Provincial Park, Yarmouth Co., will be available for showers and non-potable water fill-ups
  • the day-use area of Rissers Beach Provincial Park, Lunenburg Co., will be available between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Safety measures are in place to ensure COVID-19 public health guidelines and cleaning protocols are followed. Residents must register in advance by contacting the parks directly. Contact information is found on the Provincial Parks website.

The following day-use parks are available for non-potable water fill-ups only:

  • Sand Hills Beach, Shelburne Co.
  • Glenwood Provincial Park, Yarmouth Co.

“This weekend’s rainfall didn’t alleviate conditions that have affected the water supply and have led many residents to conserve water or find other sources. Provincial parks have helped residents facing these conditions in the past and will again be available to the public until things improve,” said Lands and Forestry Minister Iain Rankin. “Government will continue to monitor the situation and work with municipalities to address their needs.”

Quick Facts:

  • residents must follow public health guidelines at provincial parks, including wearing a mask, keeping a safe distance from park employees and others, and not using the facilities if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have travelled outside the Atlantic bubble within the last 14 days
  • comfort stations at camping parks will be closed to registered campers during designated public access times and cleaned before being reopened to campers

Additional Resources:

Nova Scotia Provincial Parks website: https://parks.novascotia.ca/

Nova Scotia Provincial Parks on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NSProvincialParks

Lands and Forestry on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NSLandsForestry

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