Water is once again spilling over the dam in Lake Major after this summer's hot, dry weather sapped the supply at the municipal reservoir.

Weeks-long water restrictions are being lifted today in the Halifax area, said Halifax Water spokesman James Campbell, after up to 80 millimetres of rain fell on the Halifax Regional Municipality this weekend.

"We got about 68 millimetres of rain yesterday at Lake Major and we now have flow back over the dam again so that's fantastic news," he said.

"When we have water spilling over the dam, that's an excellent sign that lake levels are recovered so we're comfortable lifting the restrictions effective immediately."

He said the utility is optimistic water levels will remain sufficiently high through the winter.

32,000 customers

Campbell said the utility wants to thank citizens who were saving about three million litres of water per day during the drought.

"We're always happy when people conserve water," he said. "It was really helpful in keeping essential services open to everybody."

Over the summer, water levels at the reservoir reached historic lows, prompting the utility to ask about 32,000 customers to stop watering lawns, gardens, filling pools and washing vehicles at home.

Lake Major supplies water to homes in Dartmouth, Cole Harbour, Westphal, North Preston and Eastern Passage.

South Shore still dry

The heavy rainfall across much of Nova Scotia did little to relieve drought conditions on the province's South Shore, however.

Yarmouth County and surrounding areas have been coping with low water levels and a lack of wet weather, which caused many wells to dry up. An estimated 10.6 millimetres of rain fell at the Yarmouth airport on Saturday.

More rain is forecasted for the county for several days this week.