On Wednesday, November 26, the South Nation Conservation (SNC) Authority announced it was maintaining its Level 3 Low Water Advisory across its jurisdiction, citing months of persistent hot, dry weather during the summer. Although rainfall returned in October and November, the water deficit has been so severe that residents on private wells continue to experience significant impacts.
Kristyn Campbell, a mother of seven living in Vankleek Hill, says her family and animals have been struggling with a surface well that began running dry in mid-August.
“We have lived on a well our entire adult lives and never experienced anything like this before,” Campbell said.
The SNC first issued its Level 3 designation in late August and noted that many private well users were experiencing serious impacts, including dry or low-producing wells. It also reported that several creeks and rivers remain at reduced flow, with regional water demand exceeding the available supply.
SNC continues to encourage private well users to use water sparingly, reduce overall consumption, and suspend non-essential outdoor use. The SNC also directed residents to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks website for resources on managing water wells during shortages: https://www.ontario.ca/page/managing-your-water-well-times-water-shortage.
In just over four months, Campbell’s family spent close to $6,000 on water deliveries, bottled water, and rainwater collection equipment, among other related expenses, as they repeatedly lost access to their well. The family’s added expenses were only just beginning.
Campbell originally believed the issue was a pump failure. After a $300 inspection, a plumber told her the well was critically low and advised the family to refrain from using water entirely.
Campbell then called a water-hauling company to fill the well for $500, purchased a water cooler and jugs, and had the family pay to shower at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex in Hawkesbury. Campbell says the costs for showers alone for her whole family set her back $45 per visit.
In addition, Campbell and her family of nine have been using a local laundromat at a cost of $120 per week to prevent the well from running dry again.
Another company had to be called to refill the well for an additional $500. Campbell said the original company was completely booked due to the high demand for water services in the region, forcing her to look elsewhere.
The well dried up again in mid-October, prompting Campbell to seek more permanent solutions and call a well specialist to inspect the site. The family was told that drilling a new well was the only option, with prices starting at $15,000.
Campbell says that, like many families struggling with the increased cost of living, hers has been stressed and forced to constantly re-budget due to the added well and water expenses. “We are terrified of what we will do if the well doesn’t come back to full capacity.”
Campbell emphasized she wants things to return to normal but “will always have a rainwater backup for as long as I live.” She added that “the situation has been scary and a learning experience.”
For now, the SNC will continue to monitor rainfall, stream flows, and water levels across the region. Future updates will be posted on the SNC website at https://www.nation.on.ca and through its social media pages.
