The Town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, is updating its plan to protect the Dares Lake watershed to ensure the community has safe drinking water for years to come. A second draft of the new management plan is expected to be released to the public in February 2026.
Dares Lake has been protected by the province since March 8, 1972, but town officials say the old rules need to be modernized to handle new challenges like climate change and nearby building projects. The lake provides the main water supply for the town and is located about four kilometres away in the neighbouring Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.
The Town of Lunenburg and a special advisory committee have been working on these changes to better manage the 518 acres of land around the lake. According to council records, the project also includes a plan to fix the Dares Lake dam and spillway to prevent any potential failures during heavy storms.
The new rules might change how people can use the land near the lake, including restrictions on septic systems and chemical use for property owners in the area. While current provincial regulations already limit activities like fishing and swimming, the updated plan aims to make these protections easier to enforce.
The water system has a long history, which Water Canada notes is an important part of the town’s growth. Officials are looking at ways to help nearby residents with the costs of upgrading their own water filtration or waste systems to meet the new standards.
