Weather forecasts for our area of late have teased us with “a chance of showers”, usually 30%, which so far hasn’t materialized at any percent. A lightning strike warning was issued Tuesday evening for parts or Northern Nova Scotia, and Wednesday afternoon / evening have thunderstorms on the weather map. But with this extended period of hot, humid weather and sunny skies, you have to wonder: When, oh when, will it rain again?
Surprisingly, the data says it’s not that bad. The Canadian Drought Monitor will release it’s updated maps later this week. The assessment up to the end of June had our area estimated to be in an “abnormally dry” condition, though not officially in a drought. That determination may change this week.
Certainly other areas of Nova Scotia, particularly Hants County, Colchester County and Halifax County, are experiencing more severe conditions. Some communities — such as Stewiacke — are under water use restrictions, limiting lawn and garden watering, and the use of water to clean outside surfaces, until significant rainfall occurs.
Oxford Mayor Greg Henley says our town is in a somewhat better situation than towns that rely on surface waters, like rivers, as their water source. Oxford’s water system draws on wells bored into aquifers in East Leicester, from where the water is pumped to a main storage tank in Little River. The backup reservoir on Pugwash Road is also served by wells.
In recent years, the Town of Oxford has co-operated with the provincial government to purchase additional land where the wells are located, to provide better protection for our water source.
The enduring lack of rain poses another threat to our communities. Conditions are tinder-dry and several fires have kept crews around the province busy. The “burn safe” map is more often than not completely red: no burning allowed at any time. And even on days when burning is permitted, usually only overnight when fires can be more easily spotted, it’s still not recommended.
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