Nancy Grove and Peter Gale faced a dilemma when their 200-year-old dug well dried up amid an unyielding drought in Baxters Harbour, N.S. They had to choose between enduring the water scarcity or investing approximately $20,000 in a drilled well.
Similar to many residents in Nova Scotia, the couple had to rely on water deliveries from the local community center and a neighbor with a drilled well who graciously allowed them to connect a hose between their properties for water supply. The well on their property, located by the Bay of Fundy, had been a vital water source for the local church, school, and community members over the years.
After monitoring the situation for weeks, Grove and Gale realized that the water table would not be replenished soon and that relying on their neighbor’s well during winter was not sustainable. Despite the sentimental value attached to their old well, the couple decided to proceed with drilling a 91-meter-deep well in early October as a prudent investment for future drought scenarios.
Ian Spooner, a hydrogeology professor at Acadia University, emphasized the importance of evaluating various factors such as cost and property geology before opting for well drilling during drought conditions in Nova Scotia. He advised exploring alternative water sources like ponds, rivers, natural groundwater springs, water haulers, and community wells as interim solutions.
Some municipalities are contemplating or have already initiated programs to offer financial assistance, including loans, to property owners in need of new wells. Spooner recommended consulting neighbors and professionals before proceeding with drilling to assess well depth, yield, and water quality, emphasizing the significance of understanding the property’s geology to avoid drilling failures.
The Department of Natural Resources and Renewables highlighted the importance of sand and gravel deposits as excellent groundwater sources, while cautioning against drilling challenges posed by certain minerals that could contaminate groundwater. They also provided a map outlining groundwater regions based on bedrock types and sediment deposits to aid property owners in decision-making.
Spooner stressed the value of acquiring relevant information for property owners contemplating well drilling, emphasizing that despite the potential return of some dug wells in the future, drilling a well provides greater water security during extreme drought conditions.