Annual lead and copper sampling program for residential tap water

April 6, 2024

Annual lead and copper sampling program for residential tap water

SYDNEY, NS - The CBRM Water Utility is seeking volunteers for the annual lead and copper sampling program for residential tap water. The program is for customers of the CBRM Water Utility, not for those whose water source is a well. 
 
The Water Utility routinely monitors water quality within distribution systems. In 2020, Nova Scotia Environment introduced additional sampling requirements for lead and copper within customers’ homes.

This sampling program will be provided free of charge to a limited number of customers in each CBRM distribution system (Sydney, Glace Bay, Northside, New Waterford, Louisbourg, Floral Heights and Centreville).

Participants will be registered on a first come first serve basis until the program goals are met. The program occurs every year.

Customers can sign up online here.

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Notice of Fire and Emergency Services change: HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE

April 5, 2024

Cape Breton Fire and Emergency Services made a challenging decision this week to move Hazardous Materials response to the career service location at Sydney Station 2. 

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality recognizes that our Fire Service requires fast-as-possible response times in our emergency services. Hazardous Materials response, a key service, is now moved to a 24 hours, seven days a week, staffed location.

Chief Mark Bettens confirms the volunteers with the service can continue to be volunteers within the Fire Service and thanks them for their work on the HazMat team.

“We regret that the notice of the change to the volunteer group was short,” said Chief Bettens. “We never want to see any disruption in the service available to the community. This change is needed to ensure fast and consistent response from HazMat, which responds to about 10 calls per year.”

The Fire Service has relocated the HazMat inventory of protective equipment, four vehicles, two boats, and additional assets belonging to CBRM.

CBRM water utility customers will see greater savings from water conservation efforts beginning on April 1

March 27,2024

CBRM water utility customers will see greater savings from water conservation efforts beginning on April 1

New billing cycle for water and wastewater will begin on April 1, 2024

SYDNEY, NS - Beginning on April 1, a new water-wastewater billing cycle will begin that is based on customer water usage.  CBRM Council approved a new wastewater discharge by-law at the council meeting on Tuesday, March 26.

The CBRM Water Utility and CBRM Wastewater Department are in process of becoming a UARB-regulated commission named the CBRM Water and Wastewater Commission. Water and wastewater services will be entirely based on customer usage. Currently, the system is a combination of customer use billing and property tax billing. 

“Water utility customers are on rotating billing cycles, but we want to make all customers aware that the new billing process for the usage-based system will begin on April 1st,” said Greg Campbell, Manager of Technical Support Services – Utilities at CBRM.

“This new billing allows residents to have more control over their water bill as it will reflect usage,” added Campbell.  “Anyone wanting to make conservation efforts will see more value to that beginning on April 1 onward.”

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Experienced fire and emergency services leader Mark Bettens appointed as new CBRM Chief

March 1, 2024

SYDNEY, NS - The Cape Breton Regional Municipality today announced the hiring of a new Director of Fire and Emergency Services.

Veteran Fire Services official Mark Bettens will begin his role effective Monday, March 4th. 

With over 35 years of experience in emergency services and public service leadership, Bettens brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to his new role. Bettens' journey in emergency services began as a paramedic while still in high school, and over the years, he has served in various capacities, showcasing a commitment to excellence and community safety. Notably, he served as a volunteer firefighter for almost a decade in Glace Bay before transitioning to a distinguished career in CBRM Fire & Emergency Services, where he held progressively advancing leadership roles for the majority of his career. He has progressed through the ranks in the fire service over his career, most recently serving as Platoon Chief. 

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Transit CB service notice: Friday, February 16

Transit will resume service today, February 16, at 2:00 pm.
All routes will operate.

(2A and 2B start at 2:30pm)

NOTE: Route 10/13 is going to/from downtown via Alexandra/Kings Road. Buses are not able to operate on Bentinck and Argyle.

MUNICIPAL SERVICES UPDATE February 16, 2024

February 15, 2024

Transit Cape Breton will not operate on Friday, February 16.
Officials will monitor clearing efforts and reassess for evening operation.

Handi-Trans service will operate, where road conditions allow, on Friday, February 16.

Solid Waste curbside collection will operate on Friday, February 16.

MUNICIPAL SERVICES UPDATE for Thursday Feb 15, 2024

MUNICIPAL SERVICES UPDATE for Thursday Feb 15: 

Transit Cape Breton will not operate on Thursday, February 15.

Solid Waste curbside collection will not operate on Thursday, February 15. 

- Collection for Wednesday, February 14 will be moved to Sunday, February 18.
- Collection for Thursday, February 15 will be moved to Monday, February 19.

MUNICIPAL SERVICES UPDATE February 14, 2024

Transit Cape Breton and Handi-Trans is not operating today, Wednesday, February 14.

Solid Waste curbside collection is cancelled.

City Hall and municipal facilities are closed. Services and facilities will be reassessed at mid-day.

CBRM MUNICIPAL SERVICES UPDATE February 12, 2024

CBRM MUNICIPAL SERVICES UPDATE

February 12, 2024

Transit Cape Breton will resume all routes except for route 15 starting tomorrow, Tuesday, February 13th.

Due to ongoing winter conditions, people should expect delays. If a bus stop is not cleared, transit drivers will pick up and drop off passengers at the nearest gap in the snowbanks.

Motorists should be aware, and use extreme caution around pedestrians walking to school/work or waiting for buses.

Solid Waste curbside collection will operate on Tuesday, February 13. The SPAR Road facility is also open.

CBRM MUNICIPAL SERVICES UPDATE February 11, 2024

CBRM MUNICIPAL SERVICES UPDATE February 11, 2024

Transit Cape Breton buses will not be operating on Monday, February 12. Routes are not wide enough for buses to operate, nor for riders to stand safely at the roadside.

Handi-Trans will operate.

Solid Waste curbside collection will start on Monday morning for those who missed Saturday, Feb. 10 collection. Trucks will pick up only on roadways that are wide enough for them to operate on.

CBVRCE schools are opening on Monday (check their communications for the latest information). Sidewalks are not cleared on the streets approaching many schools. Motorists should be aware, and use extreme caution around students walking to school and or waiting for buses.

City Hall building will open on Monday, Feb 12. Municipal facilities, such as Arenas, are open as of 2:00 pm on Sunday, Feb 11.

The State of Local Emergency expired on Sunday, February 11th, 2024, at 2:00 pm. Road clearing and widening efforts continue and many residents are still dealing with unresolved issues from last weekend's storm.

An additional weather statement is issued for CBRM for Tuesday, Feb. 13 and Wednesday, Feb 14.

If you are able to offer assistance to help with snow clearing, provide your information by email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.