Nova Scotia authorities already concerned about future droughts

The provincial government is already turning its mind to future water shortages as parts of Nova Scotia continue to be gripped by a drought.

Zach Churchill, minister responsible for the province's emergency management office, told reporters Thursday it's time to look beyond the effects of this summer's drought with an eye to mitigating the stress and inconveniencecaused by wells running dry.

Churchill said the focus needs to be on long-term infrastructure needsand where the gaps are in the system, "so we can be better prepared to deal with this in the future.

'Supply doesn't seem to be the issue'

"We need to look at the facilities in place now that we're using for water distribution. Are they fulfilling the need? Are they easily accessed? Are there additional facilities that would be helpful?"

A municipal politician in Argyle has suggested his community dig a community well.

Churchill wasn't convinced.

"Right now supply doesn't seem to be the issue, so I don't know at this particular point in time if digging a community well will improve the situation or not. It might."

Churchill suggested municipalities or the province might be able to tap into federal infrastructure fundsto build the equipmentneeded to store or distributeenough water to ensure communities have whatthey need during droughts.