Halifax Water eases water restrictions for Dartmouth-area customers

Nova Scotia·NewThe water utility is returning customers serviced by Lake Major to voluntary water restrictions after recent heavy rainfall.Effective immediately, all customers serviced by Lake Major will be returned to voluntary water restrictionsAnjuli Patil · CBC News · Posted: Nov 12, 2025 3:22 PM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.About 122,000 Halifax Water customers in Dartmouth, Burnside, Cole Harbour, Westphal, North Preston and Eastern Passage are serviced by Lake Major. (Brian MacKay/CBC)Halifax Water is easing water restrictions for its Dartmouth-area customers — from mandatory to voluntary — following recent heavy rainfall.”Due to the recent precipitation, Halifax Water’s source water supply has started to replenish and recover. As a result, Lake Major’s levels have increased by 70 centimetres,” the water utility said in a news release Wednesday afternoon. Mandatory water conservation measures for about 122,000 customers in the communities of Dartmouth, Burnside, Cole Harbour, Westphal, North Preston and Eastern Passage began Sept. 10.Halifax Water said it is “cautiously optimistic” water levels are slowly recovering, but staff are still monitoring supply levels.”The amount of precipitation that occurs over the winter months will ideally provide enough water to fully recharge lakes across the region,” the utility said.”Until then, all customers and residents are urged to follow voluntary water conservation measures until further notice.”Starting on Thursday, Halifax Water said it will resume hydrant flow testing and reopen bulk water fill stations at Lake Major.Customers who are serviced by Pockwock Lake — including those who live in Halifax, Bedford and Hammonds Plains — are still under voluntary restrictions.MORE TOP STORIESABOUT THE AUTHORAnjuli Patil is a reporter with CBC Nova Scotia’s digital team.