Haida Gwaii village running low on water as residents leave taps running to avoid frozen pipes

A smallvillage on Haida Gwaiisays it is running low on water and it suspects cold temperatures may be to blame.

Port Clements, located inland on the archipelago of Haida Gwaiioff of B.C.'s north coast,issued an emergency alert Wednesday saying that in order to protect its dwindling water reserves, it may be forced to suspend residential water services.

"This would have serious impacts for the community, including impacts on fire protection services," the notice reads.

In a separate public noticeissued Tuesday, the village says it believes water is running low as residents leave their pipes dripping in order to avoid having them freeze.

About340 peoplelive in the community.

"It is requested that the water system usage be reduced to essential personal needs only and any freeze protection activities(ex. leaving pipes dripping) be ceased immediately," the public notice said, adding thatit is important for residents tocheck their pipes for potential leaks.

Much of the provincehas been facing a dwindling water supply due to drought conditions and a lower-than-average snowpack, although Haida Gwaii was not among the regions facing the most severe drought levels.

Like much of B.C., Haida Gwaii has been facing colder-than-normal temperatures over the past week due to Arctic air combined with strong winds.