HALIFAX - Officials are delivering water to parts of Nova Scotia that are running dry in what the province says is one of the worst dry spells it has seen.
Municipal Affairs Minister Zach Churchill says areas of southwestern Nova Scotia haven't seen rain in weeks and aren't expecting any for the next couple of weeks.
He says bottled water will be delivered to the most affected areas, with water stations at schools and provincial parks being opened for people to shower.
He says the communities of Argyle, Shelburne and Barrington are experiencing the most acute shortages, but there have reports of dwindling supplies in Chester and Guysborough County.
Churchill says water is being provided by municipal water sources and volunteer fire departments, along with ground search and rescue crews who are helping identify people who might be without water.
How dry is it in Southwest NS? @CindyDayCTV says the last good rain of 20 mm or more in Yarmouth was on May 30. @CTVAtlantic
— Sarah Ritchie (@SarahRitchieCTV) September 15, 2016
In all, there was 87mm of rain in Yarmouth area over June, July, August. The average total is usually 268mm in that time. @CTVAtlantic
— Sarah Ritchie (@SarahRitchieCTV) September 15, 2016
Minister responsible for EMO, @zachchurchill, says about 250 households in Argyle, Barrington, Shelburne area are lacking water @CTVAtlantic
— Sarah Ritchie (@SarahRitchieCTV) September 15, 2016