Municipality to Replace Water Meters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24th, 2019
Municipality to Replace Water Meters
INVERNESS COUNTY, N.S. – The Inverness County Water Utility will soon be conducting a water meter upgrade program to retrofit and/or install new water meters to customers on the Inverness County Water Utility.
The project will be completed in the fall and will improve accuracy of billing, facilitate leak detection, as well as make meter reading quicker and more efficient. Neptune Technology Group has been contracted by the Inverness County Water Utility to upgrade existing water meters and complete new installation of water meters where required.
Customers of the Inverness County Water Utility have been receiving a notification in their mail containing information on how to book their appointment. This is a mandatory program in accordance with Nova Scotia Utility and Review Boards Regulations for the Inverness County Water Utility. The upgrade procedure requires approximately 30-90 minutes to complete, during which time the water will be shut off for a brief period. There is no charge for the meter or the installation.
Customers of the Chéticamp Water Utility will be sent bilingual information, and a bilingual installer has been contracted to complete the water meter upgrades in the area.
For any questions, residents are invited to call Neptune’s toll-free number at 1-800-667-4387. Residents of Port Hood and Inverness are now able to book appointments by calling the toll-free number above. Appointments will open for other communities soon.
-30-
Port Hood Boil Water Advisory
NOTICE: BOIL WATER ADVISORY
To: All users of the Port Hood Water System
July 18th, 2019
Please be informed that the customers of the Port Hood Water System are currently under a boil water advisory as a public health preventative action.
Municipal staff perform weekly water sampling on all the water distribution systems throughout the Municipality for testing and analysis. Four samples are taken from the Port Hood system at various locations. One of the four samples tested positive for possible bacterial contamination. Municipal staff are resampling at that one location and working to get test results back as soon as possible.
In the meantime, residents and users are advised to follow preventive measures using water to ensure its safety prior to consumption or use:
- Bring tap water to a rolling boil and maintain for a minimum of 1-2 minutes
- Cool water before using for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and preparing beverages and food.
Please share widely with neighbours, friends, visitors, and members of vulnerable populations such as seniors who may be living alone.
For further information please contact the following:
Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:00pm: 902-787-3503 or 902-787-3502
Evenings/weekends 902-258-5048
Municipal Recreation & Tourism Summer Students Prepared for a Great Season
INVERNESS COUNTY, N.S. – Four Inverness County students have been hired by the Municipality for the 2019 summer season and will be travelling throughout the county promoting festivals, events and outdoor recreation.
As Trail Ambassadors, Colby MacLean and Regyn MacDonald will be hosting trail events and promoting outdoor recreation as well as facilitate free Multisport sessions for kids. Festival & Event Promoters Sophie Blondin and Leah Sauer will promote events across the County, manage Canada’s Musical Coast social media accounts, and develop marketing material for the Recreation & Tourism Department. These young ambassadors began their summer employment the first week of July and received social media and recreation training before starting their work.
Meet the Municipality’s Recreation & Tourism 2019 summer students:
Regyn MacDonald, Trails & Recreation Ambassador
Community: Kingsville
Current school: Strait Area Education/Recreation Centre
Most looking forward to: Being outdoors and having lots of fun playing sports with kids
Favourite spot in Inverness County: Maple Brook Falls
Plans for the future: To be determined
Fun fact: I am a step dancer!
Colby MacLean, Trails & Recreation Ambassador
Community: Mabou
Current school: St. FX University
Most looking forward to: Running the Multisport kids’ camps
Favourite spot in Inverness County: West Mabou Beach
Plans for the future: Get a job close to home
Fun fact: I love playing basketball.
Leah Sauer, Festival & Event Promoter
Community: West Bay
Current school: Holland College
Most looking forward to: Being able to travel all around Inverness County and seeing all the wonderful events and local businesses
Favourite spot in Inverness County: Marble Mountain Beach & Look-off
Plans for the future: Travel internationally to events and festivals
Fun fact: I am a fluent in English, German and French.
Sophie Blondin, Festival & Event Promoter
Community: Dunvegan
Current school: Mount St. Vincent University
Most looking forward to: Exploring the County, getting to attend all the festivals and meeting lots of new people
Favourite spot in Inverness County: My grandparents’ house up the hill in Southwest Margaree – best place on earth
Plans for the future: After my bachelor I plan on moving to a fast-paced city and starting a career in Public Relations
Fun fact: I’m all about hanging out with friends, shopping sprees, travelling wherever I can and spending time with family!
Photos by Skylar Gillis of @daveyandsky.
-30-
Media Contact:
Karolyn Aucoin
Communications and Community Engagement Specialist / Spécialiste en communications et engagement communautaire
Municipality of the County of Inverness / Municipalité du Comté d’Inverness
375 Main Street, Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
Ph: 902.787.3519
karolyn.aucoin@invernesscounty.ca
Municipality Congratulates Graduates
INVERNESS COUNTY, N.S. – 118 students have received their grade 12 diplomas from École NDA, Cape Breton Highlands Academy, Inverness Academy and Dalbrae Academy following their school’s graduation ceremonies this past June.
Among these students were Kaylee Deveau (NDA), Emma MacKinnon (CBHEC/A), Skylar Kennedy (IEC/A) and Sarah Wilson (Dalbrae) who were each awarded a scholarship of $500 from the Municipality. The recipents were chosen for their exemplary work ethic and leadership skills coupled with academic success. They will also be pursuing education at a post-secondary institution of their choosing in the fall.
This year the Municipality was also proud to collaborate with Mitch MacDonald of Port Hood in launching a new award to graduating students at Dalbrae Academy. The Municipality made a $500 contribution that supported two students with aspiring musical abilities in either instrumental music and/or vocals who plan to continue their musical journey post-graduation receive a $1000 gift card each for Long & McQuade Musical Instruments under the Small Towns to Big Stages Award. Keigan MacLennan and Alasdair Cameron, who were awarded the prize, each submitted a video application to musician Mitch MacDonald, where they answered questions about their love of music and performed an acoustic piece of music of their choosing. While the pilot project, also presented with the help of the Clove Hitch Bar & Bistro and Long & McQuade, was available to Dalbrae students only, the intent is to work at making a similar award available to graduates at the other three County high schools next year.
“It seems the future is bright for all 118 graduates,” said Municipality of the County of Inverness Warden Betty Ann MacQuarrie. “Though they embark on a new, exciting journey, Inverness County will always welcome them home when they return.”
The Municipality would like to congratulate not only those awarded with scholarships but all graduates from Inverness County schools including Strait Area Education Recreation Centre and We’koma’q Mi’kmaw School for their academic and extracurricular success as well as wish teachers and school support staff a great and safe summer vacation.
-30-
Media Contact:
Karolyn Aucoin
Communications and Community Engagement Specialist / Spécialiste en communications et engagement communautaire
Municipality of the County of Inverness / Municipalité du Comté d’Inverness
375 Main Street, Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
Ph: 902.787.3519
karolyn.aucoin@invernesscounty.ca
Port Hood Water Conservation Advisory
ATTENTION WATER CUSTOMERS OF PORT HOOD: PLEASE SHARE WIDELY
Port Hood Water Reservoir at a Critical Level
The Port Hood Water Reservoir is at a critically low level. Unless serious conservation efforts are taken in earnest by residents and businesses within the serviced area, Municipal staff estimate that the community will be out of water within approximately 4 to 5 days.
The two water production wells in Port Hood are no longer able to produce sufficient water to meet the current daily demand. Municipal staff and contractors have been and continue to work on the installation of an additional new water production well in Port Hood to increase overall water production to exceed demand. Unfortunately a number of water leaks, including a significant water main leak yesterday, have impacted the level of the reservoir, which is now below the level required for fire protection.
The Port Hood Volunteer Fire Department has been informed and the Fire Chief is connecting with both the Judique and Mabou Volunteer Fire Departments so that emergency response is coordinated, should it be required. Work towards the additional new production well is ongoing and the community will be updated on progress in the coming days.
To conserve water, please:
– Take shorter showers and no baths;
– Do not water your lawn or gardens;
– Do not let your faucet run when washing or rinsing;
– Avoid washing clothes as much as possible;
– Keep a bottle of water in the fridge to avoid letting water run to obtain a cold drink;
– Flush your toilet less often.
Please share widely and inform visitors of the water conservation advisory.
The Municipality appreciates your continued cooperation in this matter.