N.S. laundromats see brisk business due to dry wells

Nova Scotia·NewA laundromat worker in Yarmouth says she is surprised by the number of people coming through the door to do their laundry since the drought started. ‘There’s so many customers that are out of water,’ says laundromat workerListen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesBusiness has been brisk at a Truro laundromat during drought conditions. (Brian Babineau )A laundromat worker in Yarmouth says she is surprised by the number of people coming through the door since the drought started. In the almost 10 years Helen Muise has been working at K D Wash + Dry Laundry, she has never seen so many people drive long distances just to be able to wash their clothes. “We have people coming from Bridgewater, Shelburne, Digby, Claire, all over, everywhere,” she said. “There’s so many customers that are out of water.”She said she understands their concerns. Some customers worry their wells won’t replenish before the winter comes, and finding time to do laundry far away can add to the stress. According to data from the Nova Scotia government, around 46 per cent of Nova Scotians rely primarily on groundwater from dug or drilled wells, and many of them have seen their water source dry during a summer of drought that extended into the fall.Recent rain has helped in Nova Scotia, but much more is needed before things return to normal in many areas.Another laundromat in Truro has seen a similar increase in business this summer and fall. Brian Babineau, who opened Fundy Suds four years ago, said revenue is up by 30 per cent.He is increasing capacity to accommodate that demand and to improve service. Babineau said there is more socializing at his laundromat with the increase in business. He said many talk abut how the drought has affected them.Muise said there is a wave of community support during these hard times, and sees people talking about the drought every day. “I keep encouraging them,” said Muise.MORE TOP STORIESABOUT THE AUTHORGiuliana is a journalist originally from Lima, Peru. She is interested in stories about rural Nova Scotia, science, the environment and more. If you have any story tips, you can reach her at giuliana.grillo.de.lambarri@cbc.ca.