PORT ELGIN, N.B. -- Residents of Port Elgin, N.B., say their village has suffered a big blow after someone stole a generator from the community.

The $60,000 commercial diesel generator -- which was only purchased a few months ago -- is used as a backup power supply for the village water supply system.

Without it, residents say there would be no water for essential services in the village, in the case of a power outage.

It's a big blow to the community of just over 400 people.

"This generator would come on and it would allow water to be taken out of the well and into the water tower," said village councillor Jan Legere.

Now that it's gone, residents wonder how they'll cope heading into the winter months with potential storm outages.

"We can't flush our toilets, we can't have a shower, we can't cook, we won't be able to do anything like that," said resident Olga Bateman.

Those who live in Port Elgin say their community has experienced many minor thefts over the years, but nothing of this magnitude.

"I don't remember a theft like this, and it seems so deliberate," Legere said.

The village says it's not only a financial loss.

"It's also a loss a little bit of safety for the people, not just in the village, but in the general region because the water also supplies the fire trucks, which go everywhere in our region," Legere said.

Without the generator, the village's water tower could last up to two days, but not much longer.

Concern now is for those in nursing homes, schools, and those who provide essential services to the town.

The RCMP are investigating the theft. They believe the generator was unhooked and removed from a fenced-in area sometime between 11 p.m. and midnight on Nov. 30.

Police say it is a large, heavy piece of equipment that would have required a vehicle and flatbed trailer equipped with a winch, or possibly a small-lift system, to transport.

The generator is a Kohler brand with model number 45REOZT4. The serial number is SGM32KKG2. It is white with blue panel doors on the back.

The generator is sold as a portable generator capable of being towed, but the village removed the tires and had it sitting on wooden blocks.

RCMP say the heavy piece of equipment would have required a vehicle and flatbed trailer equipped with a winch or possibly a small lift system to transport.

"Hopefully, someone will find it in their heart to either provide more money or to find the generator," said resident Carolyn Wood.

There is the possibility the village could lease a temporary generator through insurance, otherwise the cost of a new one would likely come out of taxpayers' pockets.

Anyone with information about the theft, or who may have seen the generator being transported, is asked to contact the Sackville RCMP.