Water & Wastewater

The Municipality of Inverness County is responsible for providing clean, safe drinking water and reliable wastewater services in municipally serviced communities. This work involves ongoing collaboration between multiple municipal teams, each with a specific role in maintaining and improving the systems that serve residents and businesses.

How Services Are Delivered

Water and wastewater infrastructure is managed through the combined efforts of staff from Public Works, Capital Projects, and Finance. While their responsibilities differ, these teams work closely to ensure the systems operate effectively:

• Daily operations including water main repair, leak monitoring, and quality testing is handled by Public Works.
• Billing and service connection/disconnection is handled by the Finance department.
• Infrastructure upgrades are planned and overseen by Capital Projects.

Together, these teams ensure that water and wastewater services remain safe, dependable, and responsive to the needs of the community.

Service areas

The Municipality owns and operates seven water and wastewater systems in the following communities:

• Port Hastings
• Judique
• Port Hood
• Mabou
• Inverness
• Whycocomagh
• Chéticamp

Properties located outside these service areas are typically serviced by private wells and septic systems. These fall under the oversight of the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Commitment To Quality

The Municipality is committed to delivering safe, high-quality water to all users. Water is tested daily to meet provincial safety requirements, and infrastructure upgrades are ongoing across all seven systems. These investments help ensure that services remain reliable and sustainable for years to come.

For residents outside of serviced communities, the Municipality can arrange water testing for a fee. For more information:

• Call: 1-866-258-0223, option #4
• Email: publicworks@invernesscounty.ca

Water and Wastewater Team Contact Information:

To Report an Emergency or Suspected Leak:

Call: 902-258-5048

Leaks can waste thousands of litres of water and often go unnoticed. Watch for:

• Persistent puddles or soggy ground
• Running water or unexplained streams
• Sudden drops in water pressure

Service Connection/Maintenance

For any NEW water/wastewater connections:

• Call: 1-866-258-0223, option #4
• Email: water.sewer@invernesscounty.ca
• Apply online: Application for water and wastewater services

For any SEASONAL water connections/disconnections:

• Call: 1-866-258-0223, option #4
• Email: publicworks@invernesscounty.ca
• Apply online:
  • Application for water connection
  • Application for water disconnection

Water Conservation

Access to clean, safe and reliable drinking water is essential to the health and well-being of our municipally serviced communities. With aging water infrastructure, a growing population, and increased commercial development, the Municipality of Inverness County’s water systems face growing challenges, especially in the summer, when water use increases significantly.

Water conservation advisories are issued by the municipality to help maintain safe and reliable water services during periods of increased strain on the system. These advisories are shared on the municipal website, the Municipality of Inverness County Facebook page, and with local media.

Common reasons for advisories include:

• Drought or extended dry weather reducing natural water supply
• Seasonal spikes in use, especially during summer and tourism season
• Equipment issues like pump or well maintenance, or main repairs
• Water loss due to leaks or pipe breaks, lowering storage tank levels
• Regulatory restrictions on water withdrawal rates from groundwater and surface water source

Your cooperation during advisories ensures that essential services like hospitals and fire departments have the water they need—and helps protect long-term water access for everyone.

What You Can Do to Help

Reduce Your Water Use

Simple actions at home can make a big difference:

• Collect rainwater in a covered barrel for watering plants or washing vehicles.
• Use water-efficient appliances (look for WaterSense or EnergyStar labels).
• Take shorter showers and turn off taps when brushing teeth or washing dishes.
• Only run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads.
• Avoid non-essential outdoor water use like watering lawns or hosing down driveways.

Conserve to Preserve

When you conserve water, you:

• Lower your utility bills
• Help maintain emergency water supplies for hospitals and fire departments
• Ensure sustainable, long-term access to clean water for everyone

By the Numbers:

• Community water use often rises by over 30% in summer compared to winter
• A leaking toilet can waste hundreds of litres/day due to worn flappers
• A dripping tap (1 drop/sec) wastes up to 25 litres/day
• Over two-thirds of municipal water is used for non-drinking purposes
• Water consumption rates often increase by 5 – 15% immediately following municipal water conservation advisories. Let’s work together to fix that.

Check out the municipality’s fact sheet and sharing with family and friends and posting in high traffic areas in your home and workplace.

Boil Water Advisories

Boil water advisories are issued by the municipality in response to real or potential risks related to the quality of drinking water. These advisories are often a precautionary measure, sent in advance before the water quality issue occurs. These advisories are shared on the municipal website, the Municipality of Inverness County Facebook page, and with local media and remain in effect until water quality testing confirms it is safe for consumption.

When a Boil Water Advisory is issued, water system users are advised to:

• Bring tap water to a rolling boil for at least one to two minutes before use.
• Allow water to cool before using it for:
  • Drinking
  • Making ice
  • Brushing teeth
  • Washing dishes
  • Preparing food and beverages

Water, Sewer & Fire Services Billing

Water Billing & Rates

Residents in serviced areas of Port Hastings, Judique, Port Hood, Mabou, Inverness, Whycocomagh, and Chéticamp can access the municipal water system.

• Billing Schedule: Water bills are sent out every three months, March, June, September, and December.
• Billing Options: You can get your bill by mail or sign up for electronic billing here.
• Payment Options: Learn about ways to pay your water bill here.
• Water Rates: Set by the Nova Scotia Energy and Regulatory Board. View the current water rates (see page 8).
• Charges: Your bill is based on how much water you use during each billing cycle.

Wastewater (Sewer) Billing & Rates

If you’re connected to the municipal sewer system, you’ll be charged for wastewater services. These charges cover the cost of treatment, maintenance, and administration.

How it’s charged:

• A Wastewater Service Area Rate is added to your property tax bill. It’s based on your property’s taxable value (per $100 of assessment).
• Only properties with access to the system are charged (whether you’re connected or can be).

Wastewater Service Area Rates (by district):

Fire Services Billing & Rates

Everyone in the municipality contributes to local fire protection services. These rates are set by each volunteer fire department and approved by municipal council after community input.

• • How it’s charged:

• • A flat rate per unit (used in Mabou, Pleasant Bay and Meat Cove)

OR

• • an area rate based on property value per $100 of assessment (all other communities)
• The fee is included in your property tax bill, and all money goes directly to your local fire department.

Fire Department Area Rates (by district):

Questions?

Email: info@invernesscounty.ca
Call: 1-866-258-0223, Option #5