Urgent Water Advisory in Saint John as Watershed Levels Plunge

URGENT UPDATE: Saint John, N.B., is facing a critical water shortage as the Loch Lomond Watershed experiences alarming declines in water levels. Residents are urged to conserve water immediately to prevent a crisis.

The city’s water supply has dropped nearly 0.5 meters in August alone, prompting officials to issue a voluntary advisory on Friday, asking the community to reduce consumption. Kendall Mason, director of Saint John Water, warns that if levels fall by another 1 meter, an emergency plan will be put into action.

“If we reach that threshold, we will implement a strategy that includes constructing a dam between First Lake and Robertson Lake to divert water from deeper sections of First Lake,” Mason stated. “We’re prepared to execute that.”

Residents must take this advisory seriously. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated—an additional drop in water levels could lead to severe consequences for the city. Currently, heavy industries are complying with water usage restrictions, and the provincial government has approved the postponement of non-essential hydrant flushing to conserve water resources.

Dean Price, the city’s manager of source water protection, emphasizes the importance of restoring lake levels before winter. “Our goal is to have the lakes back to full capacity by wintertime,” Price said. “It is crucial to have that stored water in ice over the winter to sustain us through the next year.”

With the threat of severe water shortages looming, the city is calling on all residents to take action now. The decisions made today could determine the future of Saint John’s water supply.

Stay tuned for more updates as this situation develops. For breaking news alerts and video coverage, download the CTV News App.