When the well drilled on their property went dry for the first time in its 200 years, Nancy Grove and Peter Gale had to weigh two options: wait out a drought with no end in sight or spend about $20,000 on a drilled well.
Like many other Nova Scotians, the couple from Baxters Harbour, N.S., found themselves dependent on water pickups from the local community center and a neighbor with a drilled well that allowed them to run a hose between their properties to get some water into the house.
The couple moved to their Bay of Fundy home more than 30 years ago, although the well has been there much longer. In the past, it provided drinking water to a small church down the road, the local school and others in the close-knit community.
But after watching the forecast for weeks, Grove says she and her husband realized the water table wouldn’t replenish anytime soon and they couldn’t rely on their neighbor’s well much longer with winter on the way and the hose at risk of freezing.
“It’s very sad to retire the old well because it’s been great for so many years,” Grove, a retired nurse, said of her decision.
She and her husband, a carpenter, would have preferred to save money. But they decided that the 300-foot-deep well drilled in early October was a worthwhile investment, especially if a similar drought repeats itself.
Ian Spooner, a hydrologist at Acadia University, says that while bore wells are more reliable than those dug in drought conditions, Nova Scotians struggling with drought should Consider several factors, especially the cost and geology of the property, before drilling a well.
Spooner said there is a risk the drought will persist through the winter, meaning the water table may not recover until spring.
He suggests people consider alternative water sources and determine whether using those measures to close the gap is more feasible than drilling a well. They include pumping water from a pond or river, using natural groundwater springs, harvesting water, hiring water haulers, and accessing community wells.
Some municipalities are considering or have already done so loan granting programs for homeowners who may need a new well. Spooner said people should contact their municipalities to find out about possible financial assistance.
If a drilled well is determined to be the best option, Spooner said homeowners should talk to neighbors before calling a drilling company.
“How deep are your wells? What kind of yield and what kind of water do you get from your wells?” said.
“The best way to understand this is to talk to the people around you. And if you can get a professional… they can give you a very quick assessment of not only the cost of your water, but also its quality.”
Understanding the geology of the property is essential, Spooner said, as homeowners face the risk of drilling in the wrong area and not finding water.
According to the Department of Natural and Renewable Resources, sand and gravel deposits are “excellent sources of groundwater both in quality and quantity.” By contrast, some minerals may be too difficult to drill or create lumps and contaminate groundwater.
The province also has groundwater regions map describing the dominant bedrock types and sediment deposits.
Ultimately, Spooner said, the information is key for landowners considering whether to drill.
“Many dug wells will reappear. This is not going to last forever, and it could be years before we suffer another type of extraordinary drought like the one we have had,” he said. “But the bottom line is that if you decide to drill a well, you will be safer.”
MORE TOP STORIES
