The Nova Scotia government is defending its decision to move away from funding bottled water for municipalities during drought conditions.
Emergency Management Minister Kim Masland said the province spent more than $1 million last year helping municipalities purchase bottled water for residents impacted by drought.
But Masland says the province no longer sees bottled water as a sustainable long-term solution.
“We know that drought is beyond just a one-time measure,” Masland said during cabinet scrums Thursday. “It’s predictable, it’s reoccurring.”
Masland said the province instead wants to focus on longer-term infrastructure solutions, including community wells and other local water systems.
“I think that money needs to be looked at putting into municipalities, working with them to help them build community wells,” she said.
The minister also said the bottled water program was never intended to be a permanent solution.
When asked whether ending the program before municipalities have replacement systems in place makes sense, Masland said she is confident Municipal Affairs will have support available.
Municipal Affairs Minister John MacDonald said a provincial committee is currently developing a drought and water management framework.
MacDonald said municipalities, residents and the province will all need to be involved in long-term water conservation and drought planning.
