Town News

EMERGENCY RESPONSE ONGOING - DARES LAKE DAM BREACH UPDATE 4

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Published: Thursday, 03 September 2026 17:40

EMERGENCY RESPONSE ONGOING - DARES LAKE DAM BREACH UPDATE 4

Emergency response to a breach at the Dares Lake dam, which supplies drinking water to the Town of Lunenburg, is still underway and is expected to continue for the rest of the day and again tomorrow.

Crews and heavy equipment are working on site and have contained and stabilized the breach by strengthening the dam. Berms and trenches diverted water from the pumphouse, and crews gained access to the affected infrastructure to perform electrical and mechanical assessments, which are ongoing. Two of the three pumps are functioning but not at full capacity. The third pump is not operational, and staff are working towards replacing it as soon as possible.

Water conservation efforts are slowly producing results with low reservoir levels improving slightly. However, conservation measures will remain in place for now until levels are more sustainable. Currently, residents and businesses in the Town of Lunenburg are required to limit usage to essential purposes only, such as drinking, cooking, and sanitation. The Town of Lunenburg has released a water conservation directive on their website at https://townoflunenburg.ca/town-of-lunenburg-water.... Levels will be reassessed this evening and tomorrow.

Residents are reminded to stay away from the Dares Lake area and allow emergency personnel, contractors, and heavy equipment operators to work safely.

Local fire services will transition to rural firefighting operations if required. Water tankers and mutual aid resources are available and will be utilized as needed.

There is currently no immediate risk to public safety. Should municipal water service be temporarily disrupted, community support measures will be activated to assist customers connected to the Town of Lunenburg municipal water system.


Residents are encouraged to monitor official communication channels for updates and information as the situation evolves:


• Town of Lunenburg
• Lunenburg County REMO and municipal websites and social media channels
• The REMO public information line at 902-530-7366 (REMO) for recorded updates when available.

Another update will be provided as information becomes available.

TOWN OF LUNENBURG WATER CONSERVATION DIRECTIVE

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Published: Thursday, 03 September 2026 14:49

The past 24 hours have been an unusual and challenging experience for both Town of Lunenburg Water Utility customers, as well as the staff who work diligently to ensure clean, safe water is readily available. The Utility and Town staff are truly appreciative of everyone’s patience and understanding as we work with our partners to correct the situation. And thank you to all of the residents and businesses for your cooperation, as your support is crucial to our overall success.

A lot of progress has been made since the initial breach, and we are hopeful service levels will be back to normal soon. In the meantime, we will all need to work together to ensure significant water service can be maintained. To do so, we will need to continue to conserve well and if we do so, there will continue to be safe, reliable water.

The following directive outlines what we, as a community, need to do to ensure success in the short-term.

TOWN OF LUNENBURG
WATER CONSERVATION DIRECTIVE

Effective: Thursday, September 3, 2026 immediately, until further notice

Purpose

Due to the breach of the Dares Lake Dam and the resulting reduction in available water supply, the Utility has determined that immediate mandatory conservation measures are required to ensure the continued provision of safe and reliable water service for essential community needs, including drinking water, sanitation, firefighting capability, health care services, emergency response, and critical public infrastructure.

The Utility has further determined that failure to significantly reduce water consumption may jeopardize the Utility's ability to provide reliable continuous water service to its customers.

Accordingly, the following Water Conservation Directive is hereby issued.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Directive:

Essential Water Use means water required to:

  • Protect human health and safety;
  • Prevent environmental damage;
  • Maintain critical public infrastructure; or
  • Comply with legal or regulatory requirements necessary to protect public health, safety, or the environment.

Essential Water Use does not include water used solely to maintain commercial, industrial, manufacturing, institutional, recreational, educational, processing, production, or business operations.

Water Restrictions

Residential Customers

The following uses of municipal water are prohibited:

  • Lawn and garden irrigation;
  • Filling or topping up swimming pools, hot tubs, ponds, or water features;
  • Washing vehicles, driveways, sidewalks, buildings, or other exterior surfaces;
  • Any other non-essential outdoor use of water.

To further reduce demand:

  • Keep showers short (under ten (10) minutes per person per day).
  • Bathtubs should not be used except for infant care or medical necessity.
  • Dishwashers and clothes washers shall be operated only with full loads.
  • Residents are encouraged to postpone non-essential laundry.
  • Hotels, motels, and similar facilities shall encourage guests to limit towel and linen change.

Commercial and Institutional Customers

Commercial and institutional customers shall:

  • Cease all non-essential water use;
  • Suspend landscape irrigation;
  • Suspend vehicle and equipment washing except where required for health, safety, or regulatory compliance;
  • Implement all reasonable conservation measures to minimize water consumption.

Industrial Customers

All industrial customers shall immediately reduce municipal water consumption to the minimum level required for Essential Water Use.

The following uses of municipal water are prohibited:

  • Production processes;
  • Manufacturing operations;
  • Processing operations;
  • Equipment operation where water consumption is not necessary for health, safety, environmental protection, or legal compliance;
  • Any other water use determined by the Utility to be non-essential.

Municipal water may only be used for:

  • Employee sanitation and hygiene;
  • Fire protection systems;
  • Worker health and safety requirements;
  • Environmental protection requirements;
  • Equipment preservation necessary to prevent damage to facilities or the environment; and
  • Other uses specifically authorized in writing by the Utility.

Where the Utility determines that a customer's water consumption threatens the Utility's ability to provide reliable continuous water service, the Utility may impose additional restrictions, water use limits, or cease water service in accordance with the Utility Regulations.

Compliance and Enforcement

All customers shall comply with this Directive.

Customers who fail to comply with this Directive may have their water service suspended as authorized by the Utility Regulations. Water service shall not be restored until:

  • The customer agrees to comply with the Directive; or
  • The Directive is rescinded by the Utility.

Customers whose service is suspended for non-compliance shall be responsible for all applicable service restoration charges.

Utility Determination

The Utility has determined that current water supply conditions require extraordinary conservation measures and that continued consumption at normal usage levels by high-volume customers may impair the Utility's ability to provide reliable water service for essential community needs.

The protection of potable water supply, sanitation, firefighting capability, health services, and public safety shall take precedence over commercial and industrial production activities during the period this Directive remains in effect.

Further Information

Questions concerning this Directive should be directed to:

Town of Lunenburg Water Utility

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

WATER CONSERVATION CRITICAL - DARES LAKE DAM BREACH UPDATE 3

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Published: Thursday, 03 September 2026 09:31
WATER CONSERVATION CRITICAL - DARES LAKE DAM BREACH UPDATE 3
 
Response efforts resumed this morning at the Dares Lake dam following a pause overnight due to darkness and site safety considerations.
 
Water conservation remains critical. The breach has impacted critical water infrastructure, and all customers connected to the Town of Lunenburg municipal water system are asked to eliminate all non-essential water use.
 
Please use water only for essential needs such as drinking, cooking, sanitation, and hygiene.
Every litre conserved helps protect the community's available water supply while crews work to restore access to the site and assess critical infrastructure.
 
Residents are reminded to stay away from the Dares Lake area and allow emergency personnel and contractors to work safely.
 
As a precaution, the public school in Lunenburg is closed today. Local organizations are implementing contingency plans as appropriate.
 
There is currently no immediate risk to public safety.
 
Should municipal water service be temporarily disrupted, community support measures will be activated to assist customers connected to the Town of Lunenburg municipal water system.
 
Residents can stay informed through:
 
• REMO Information Line: 902-530-7366 (REMO)
 
Additional updates will be provided as information becomes available.

COMMUNITY CENTRE CLOSED TODAY (SEPT 3)

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Published: Thursday, 03 September 2026 09:25

The Town of Lunenburg’s Community Centre will be closed today (September 3).

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

 WATER CONSERVATION REQUEST

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Published: Wednesday, 02 September 2026 17:22

🚰 WATER CONSERVATION REQUEST

Residents and businesses connected to the Town of Lunenburg water system are being asked to immediately conserve water and reduce all non-essential water use.

Emergency officials continue to respond to the Dares Lake dam breach while monitoring impacts to the municipal water supply.

Please prioritize water use for essential needs such as drinking, cooking, sanitation, and hygiene.

There is currently no immediate risk to the public and no evacuation orders are in effect.

Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.

 

Dares Lake Dam Breach

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Published: Wednesday, 02 September 2026 16:05

Dares Lake Dam Breach (Partial ECC Activation)

Holding Statement DARES LAKE DAM

Issued: 3:50pm September 2, 2026 

Emergency officials are responding to an incident involving the Dares Lake dam, which supplies drinking water to the Town of Lunenburg. Town engineers are on site assessing conditions and addressing the situation. 

To support the response, Lunenburg County REMO, the region's emergency management organization, has partially activated its Emergency Coordination Centre to assist with coordination, planning, and public communications. 

At this time, there are no actions required by residents, but should they choose to voluntarily reduce their water consumption, they are welcome to do so. Emergency officials continue to monitor conditions and assess any potential impacts to public safety, municipal infrastructure, and municipal water service. 

Residents are asked to avoid the area surrounding Dares Lake and to follow official communication channels for updates. 

Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.