Close to 8,000 customers in Hants County have been ordered to conserve water as dry conditions in Nova Scotia continue "to worsen on a daily basis."

The mandatory conservation order was issued by the Town of Windsor because the water level at Mill Lake — which serves as the town's water supply — has dropped by more than 60 centimetres since the spring.

"In 1996, we were in a similar situation and I think we've certainly surpassed that now," said Todd Richard, the town's director of public works.

"We are not at a critical stage yet."

Todd Richard, the director of public works for town of Windsor, says water levels were low in 1996 and the situation this year has surpassed that. (Paul Palmeter/CBC)

Windsor, as well as the neighbouring community of Three Mile Plains, had already been under a voluntary conservation advisory for three weeks. But with water levels continuing to drop at Mill Lake the order was upgraded.

"If we can get all the users of the utility to help us out and buy in and reduce their use, then we should never get to that critical stage," said Richard.

Ways to conserve

Some of the immediate conservation measures include:

Eliminating lawn watering and other outside water usage.

Eliminating car washing.

Repairing leaking plumbing fixtures.

Decreasing lengths of showers.

Decreasing unnecessary toilet flushing.

Stopping the tap when brushing teeth.

Morgan Mahar says she and her family have changed how they use water in their home. (Paul Palmeter/CBC)

Morgan Mahar, a Windsor resident, said she — and her infant daughter — will do their part and abide by the order.

"At bath time we'll cut down on the amount of water we put in the tub and how much water we use when we're doing dishes and bottles and stuff like that," said Mahar. "I think it just makes a lot of sense with this drought going on."

No changes to water permits

While the province is urging everyone to watch their water consumption, it hasn't asked Nova Scotia's 500 biggest water users to cut back.

Anyone who uses more than 23,000 litres of water per day — including municipalities, farmers and companies that need water for industrial purposes — needs a water withdrawal approval permit. The average household uses 700 to 1,400 litres per day.

The Environment Department says it hasn't withdrawn or amended those approvals in light of the water shortage.