Temporary Closure of Inverness Shean Trail Crossing – August 5th

The Municipality of Inverness County is advising that as part of the Central Avenue Rebuild Project, the Shean Trail crossing will be temporarily closed between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day until the contractor has completed installation of new sewer infrastructure near the crossing. Beginning on August 5th, the construction zone will be barricaded, and trail users will not be able to pass through the work area during these hours. Access to the crossing will be restored at the end of each work day. If the work extends beyond the anticipated three days, the Municipality will provide an update as required.

The Municipality thanks residents and trail users for their cooperation and patience as this important work is completed.

August 4 Mabou Water Pick-Up Details

The water conservation directive and boil water advisory remains in effect for users of the Mabou water system as of August 4, 2026.

To support Mabou water system users, the Municipality is continuing its drinking water pick-up.

Water Pick-Up Details:

Date: Tuesday, August 4
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Mabou & District Volunteer Fire Department, 11287 Highway 19, Mabou

Impacted residents may collect one four-litre jug of drinking water per person, to a maximum of three jugs per household:

One-person household: one jug (4 litres)
Two-person household: two jugs (8 litres)
Three or more people: three jugs (12 litres)

Reminders:

Residents requiring assistance with water pick-up are asked to contact the Municipality’s Public Works Department at 1-866-258-0223, option 4.
Updates will continue to be shared on invernesscounty.ca and on the Municipality’s Facebook page. Residents are encouraged to check these sources regularly for the latest information.
Residents with additional questions may contact the Municipality’s Public Works Department at 1-866-258-0223, option 4 or email Publicworks@invernesscounty.ca.

The Municipality thanks residents for their continued patience while staff work to resolve this issue.

Water Pick-Up for Mabou Water System Users – July 31

To support residents on the Mabou water system impacted by the current water conservation directive and boil water advisory, the Municipality is partnering with the Mabou Volunteer Fire Department to provide a water pick-up opportunity to help ensure residents have enough drinking water for the upcoming long weekend.

Water Pick-Up Details

Date: Friday, July 31

Time: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Location: Mabou Volunteer Fire Department, 11287 Highway 19, Mabou

Impacted residents may collect one four-litre jugs of drinking water per person, to a maximum of three jugs per household:

One-person household: one jugs (4 litres)
Two-person household: two jugs (8 litres)
Three or more people: three jugs (12 litres)

There is no water voucher program in place at this time.

Reminders

Residents requiring assistance with water pick-up are asked to contact the Municipality’s Public Works Department at 1-866-258-0223, option 4.
If the boil water advisory remains in effect on Tuesday (August 4), arrangements will be made for another water pick-up next week.
Updates will continue to be shared on invernesscounty.ca and on the Municipality’s Facebook page. Residents are encouraged to check these sources regularly for the latest information.
Residents with additional questions may contact the Municipality’s Public Works Department at 1-866-258-0223, option 4 or email Publicworks@invernesscounty.ca .

The Municipality extends sincere appreciation to the Mabou Volunteer Fire for their support and partnership. The Municipality also thanks residents for their patience and cooperation.

Council Approves Rezoning Requests

PORT HOOD, NS—The Council of the Municipality of the County of Inverness has approved recommendations from the Planning Advisory Committee following a Public Hearing and a Special Meeting of Council held on Thursday, July 30.

Council approved the following three rezoning requests:

Request to rezone 110 Main St., Whycocomagh (PID #50116144) from commercial to residential to allow the conversion of the building into a residence with no required commercial component.
Request to rezone lands on Redbird Drive, Big Harbour Centre (by PID# 50330547) from Agriculture Potential to Commercial Recreation to allow building Geodomes as Short-Term Rentals.

Request to rezone 12723 Cabot Trail, Grand-Étang (PID# 50064955) from Agriculture Potential to Commercial Recreation to allow building a Campground and Accommodations.

PLEASE NOTE that an aggrieved person, an adjacent Municipality, or the Provincial Director of Planning may appeal this decision to the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board until Thursday, August 13, 2026. For more information visit the Eastern District Planning Commission website at www.edpc.ca or phone Toll Free 1- 888-625-5361.

This notice is published in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, Section 168.

Boil Water Advisory Issued for Mabou Water System

Boil Water Advisory Issued for Mabou Water System, Water Conservation Directive Continues

In addition to the current water conservation directive issued on July 28, the Municipality of Inverness County is issuing a Boil Water Advisory for all users of the Mabou water system.

The water system is currently experiencing high turbidity, meaning the water has a slight discolouration. Staff are working to resolve the issue.

As a precaution, residents are advised to boil their water before using it for drinking or food preparation.

The length of the Boil Water Advisory is unknown; however Public Works is working to fix the problem as quickly as possible.

Effective July 29, 2026, at 9 p.m. all Mabou water system users should:

Bring tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before use.
Let the water cool before using it for:
- Drinking
- Making ice
- Brushing teeth
- Washing dishes
- Preparing food and drinks, including infant formula
- Providing to pets

Given the current water discolouration, residents are recommended to refrain from washing light coloured laundry at this time.

The Municipality has reached out directly to impacted businesses. Should the boil water advisory remain in place during the upcoming long weekend, a water pick-up and/or voucher program will be considered.

Please share this notice with neighbours, friends, and visitors to help keep everyone informed. Updates will continue to be shared on invernesscounty.ca and on the Municipality’s Facebook page.

Residents with additional questions may contact the Municipality’s Public Works Department at 1-866-258-0223, option 4 or email Publicworks@invernesscounty.ca .

To learn more about boil water advisories, visit Boil Water Advisories | Municipality of the County of Inverness .

As a reminder, water conservation tips include:

Take short showers and avoid baths.
Turn off taps when brushing teeth or washing dishes.
Only run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads.
Keep a bottle of water in the fridge to avoid running the tap for cold water.
Limit toilet flushing.
Avoid non-essential outdoor water use.
Promptly repair any leaks in and around taps and plumbing.

The Municipality of Inverness County apologizes for the inconvenience and thanks residents for their patience and cooperation while we work to restore normal water service.

Mandatory Water Conservation Directive for Users of Mabou Water System

The Municipality of Inverness County is issuing a mandatory water conservation directive for all Mabou residents connected to the municipal system.

There is some turbidity (water discolouration) in the production well. The well has been turned off and will be flushed today. Clean, safe drinking water will be supplied from a water storage tank at the water treatment plant.

As a result, this directive takes effect immediately (Tuesday, July 28) and will remain in place until the well has been flushed and the water storage tank level returns.

Water Conservation Tips:

Take short showers and avoid baths.
Turn off taps when brushing teeth or washing dishes.
Only run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads.
Keep a bottle of water in the fridge to avoid running the tap for cold water.
Limit toilet flushing.
Avoid non-essential outdoor water use.
Promptly repair any leaks in and around taps and plumbing.

To learn more about water conservation, visit Water Conservation | Municipality of the County of Inverness.

The Municipality thanks for residents for their cooperation and apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.

Council Seeking Members for Source Water Protection Committees

The Municipality of Inverness County is forming Source Water Protection Committees for six of its municipal water supply areas and is seeking members of the public to fill 12 vacancies. The appointments shall be for a term of two years.

Source water is untreated water from streams, rivers, lakes, or underground aquifers (groundwater) that is used to supply public drinking water. Source water protection maintains or improves the quality of source water before it reaches a water treatment plant.

The Municipality is looking for two members from each of the following communities with municipal water supplies:

Chéticamp
Inverness
Judique
Mabou
Port Hood
Whycocomagh

Although the municipality provides water services to the Town of Port Hastings, that water supply comes from the Town of Port Hawkesbury.

If you are interested in where your drinking water comes from and in working to protect it for future generations, consider joining your Source Water Protection Committee.

Volunteer Qualifications:

Applicants must be:

Residents or landowners within the Source Water Protection Areas. Source water protection areas are an area of land where all water drains into a common water body or is absorbed back into the ground. See maps below.

customers serviced by the municipal water system (if you have a Water Utility Account with the Municipality).

Committee Members Will:

Serve without pay
Meet as necessary. But at a minimum once a year. Virtual and in person options will be available.

To apply, submit the following form: Source Water Protection Committee Application Form | Municipality of the County of Inverness

If you have questions, contact the Public Works Department at 1-866-258-0223, option 4 or email publicworks@invernesscounty.ca .

Additional Details:

Why is source water protection imporntant?

Source water protection is a proactive approach to protecting drinking water and public health. Although water is a renewable resource, there are limits to its quality and quantity. The quality of our drinking water sources can be threatened by contaminants introduced by human activity. To protect our source water, we must manage the human activity that creates these threats.

What is the role of the committee?

The Committee will:

Conduct business by consensus.
Review and make recommendations on all activities or policy issues within the Source Water Protection Areas.
Review and comment on water monitoring programs and other studies related to the Source Water Protection Areas.
Provide advice on protection options regarding potential sources of contamination and any water concerns of stakeholder grounds.
Develop water protection information and educational programs in conjunction with the Municipality for local residents, landowners, and users of the Source Water Protection Areas.

Municipality of Inverness County Seeking Volunteers for Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Municipality of Inverness County is seeking two volunteers to serve on the Accessibility Advisory Committee. One appointment will be for a two-year term, and one appointment will be for a three-year term.

The Accessibility Advisory Committee provides advice to Municipal Council on identifying, preventing, and eliminating accessibility barriers within municipal programs, services, initiatives, and facilities. The Committee plays an important role in helping the Municipality become a more accessible community and meet its obligations under the Accessibility Act.

At least three members of the Committee must be persons with disabilities or representatives of organizations that support or advocate for persons with disabilities.

While the Committee currently meets this requirement, applicants who identify as having a disability, or who are involved with organizations representing persons with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

Volunteer Qualifications:

Applicants must:

Be at least 18 years of age.
Have been a resident of the Municipality of Inverness County for at least the last six months prior to applying and remain a resident throughout the term of the appointment.
Not be ineligible for an appointment pursuant to the Public Appointment Policy of the Municipality of Inverness County.
Be willing to commit the necessary time and effort required to carry out responsibilities of the Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Committee Members Will:

Serve without pay.
Meet as a committee at least six times per year, or as otherwise required to fulfill the Committee’s responsibilities.

Interested applicants can learn more about the Municipality’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) initiatives, including the current EDIA Plan and Accessibility Advisory Committee membership here.

Applicants may apply online at:

Accessibility Advisory Committee Application Form

Applications may also be submitted mail:

Mail-in Form

Municipal Administration Building

Attention: Debbie Nicholson

375 Main St.
PO Box 179
Port Hood, NS B0E 2WO

Or scanned and emailed to: Debbie.Nicholson@invernesscounty.ca .

Council Adopts Private Fire Hydrant Bylaw

At a Regular Meeting of Council on June 11, 2026, the Council of the Municipality of the County of Inverness voted to adopt the Private Fire Hydrant Bylaw, a new bylaw to set rules for how private fire hydrants are inspected, maintained, and kept in good working order. The decision was made as part of an ongoing bylaw modernization process.

Bylaw 66 – Private Fire Hydrant Bylaw protects public safety by ensuring:

Firefighters always have working hydrants in an emergency;
The municipal water system isn’t put at risk; and,
Private property owners meet their responsibilities.

It creates consistent expectations and protects everyone who relies on private fire hydrants for protection services.

Council invited public feedback on the bylaw during the most recent Committee of the Whole meeting on April 16, 2026, before making its decision.

What is a private fire hydrant?

A private fire hydrant is one that is connected to the municipal water system, but owned and maintained by a private landowner, rather than owned and maintained by the Municipality.

Read detailed summary of the bylaw here.

Copies of all municipal bylaws are available online at invernesscounty.ca/government/bylaws/ and in print at the Municipal Administration Building during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday).

This notice is published in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, Section 169.

July Feedback Loop

July Feedback Loop Survey Focuses on Former Residents

Inverness County, Nova Scotia – The Municipality of Inverness County is launching the July edition of The Feedback Loop survey today, July 16, with a focus on former residents who now live elsewhere.

The Feedback Loop is a monthly survey initiative designed to gather feedback on a variety of municipal topics throughout 2026. Surveys are released on the third Thursday of each month and invite residents to share their perspectives, experiences, and ideas.

“We want to hear from former residents to better understand their connection to the community, why they left, and what keeps them connected to home,” says Warden Bonny MacIsaac, Municipality of Inverness County. “The information we receive will help us identify opportunities that may encourage former residents to visit more often or consider returning home.”

The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous.

The survey is available online, with paper copies available at the Municipal Administration Building, 375 Main St., Port Hood, and other locations throughout the County. To complete the survey, click here.

The survey closes on August 19. The next edition of The Feedback Loop will launch on Aug. 20.

MacIsaac adds, “We encourage current residents to share this survey with family and friends who have returned home this summer. Feedback from former residents will help inform future programs and initiatives that support those who want to return home.”

For more information, including a list of locations where paper copies are available, visit The Feedback Loop | Municipality of the County of Inverness.

Former residents are also encouraged to subscribe to the Municipality of Inverness County’s HOME newsletter to stay connected to the people, places, and opportunities that make Inverness County unique – HOME | Municipality of the County of Inverness.