**** HRM Media Release
Municipal fires and impacts update – June 6, 1 p.m.
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following updates to municipal services as well as supports to those impacted by the fires.
Well-water testing kits
Due to limited lab testing capacity, distribution of well-water testing kits has been discontinued for today, Tuesday, June 6. Details regarding time and location of additional test kits availability will be announced as soon as details are confirmed.
The Halifax Regional Municipality, in collaboration with the Province of Nova Scotia, is facilitating the distribution of well-water testing kits for residents with wells in the evacuation zones only after they have returned to their properties. The capacity of lab testing determines the quantity of kits that can be distributed at any time. Test kits must be received within 24 hours of testing in order for the test labs to process valid results.
Residents must not drink their water until the testing is complete and they have results indicating it is safe to drink. Residents are asked to carefully read and follow the instructions included with the testing kits.
Halifax Water has set up water stations where residents can fill their own containers with drinking water. These stations are self-serve, and are available at the following locations:
- 134 Micmac Drive – Micmac Drive Park
- 290 White Hills Run – Madeline Symonds Middle School
- 297 Pockwock Road – White Hills Care Centre
- 711 Pockwock Road – Upper Hammonds Plains Community Centre
Test results are not immediate. The sample can only be taken after five days of water being run through taps in the home. Please note, water does not need to be running constantly, it can be turned on and off over the course of five days before taking the sample. Do not drink the water until test results have been received, confirming the water is safe to drink.
Residents can drop off samples at the St. Margaret’s Centre (12 Westwood Boulevard) on Sunday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Province of Nova Scotia is providing the well-water test kits for free and facilitating the testing process. For more information, see here.
For information on well safety, please see provincial guidelines. After a wildfire, well water may be contaminated with bacteria and chemicals that can make you sick. Contamination can come from the fire itself and from chemicals that seep into the water supply if items such as oil tanks are damaged.
Recovery phase
The municipality continues the planning process for the safe return of residents to their homes.
Effective Tuesday, June 6, due to the diminished wildfire risk, the Province of Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources has handed control of impacted and evacuated areas to the municipality.
There are a number of risks that need to be assessed such as propane and oil tank integrity, soil contamination, air quality concerns and structural damage.
The municipality is collaborating with the Province of Nova Scotia’s Department of Environment and Climate Change – as well as public health officials, contractors and service providers – to complete assessments of these risks. The results of these assessments will determine when residents can return to their homes.
More information on future openings will be announced once it is safe for residents to return.
Please visit halifax.ca/fire or follow @hfxgov on Twitter for all updates.
