Gay's River Spring, Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, Canada

## Overview Gay's River Spring is a roadside pipe spring located near Highway 224 in the community of Gays River, Shubenacadie area, Nova Scotia, Canada. The spring draws its water from the nearby Gay's River and delivers it through a pipe, producing a steady flow of fresh, cold water. It's important to note that a sign posted near the spring warns that the raw water is **not fit for drinking**. Water testing conducted on December 28, 2022, showed a coliform count of 16 per 100 ml, though E. coli was measured at 0 per 100 ml. Some sources suggest that government testing has also detected traces of fertilizer in the water, likely due to agricultural runoff in the surrounding area. While the spring may be useful for non-drinking purposes, visitors should be aware of these water quality concerns. Gays River is a small rural community in Hants County, Nova Scotia, situated along the river that shares its name. The area is characterized by rolling farmland, mixed forest, and quiet country roads — a scenic stretch of the province that sees relatively little tourist traffic. ## Directions 1. Head to Highway 224 in Gays River, Nova Scotia. The nearest address is approximately **719 Highway 224, Gays River, NS B0N**. 2. Locate the United Church along Highway 224 as your landmark. 3. From the United Church, drive **west** along Highway 224. 4. Continue for a few miles — you will cross a bridge over Gay's River. 5. Just after crossing the bridge, look to your **left** side of the road. The spring pipe is located slightly off the highway. 6. There is a small residence near the spring on the roadside. Free parking is available along the shoulder of the highway. **GPS Coordinates:** 45.041267, -63.374001 ## What to Expect The spring is a simple pipe outlet set near the roadside, delivering a continuous flow of cold water sourced from the nearby Gay's River. The setup is utilitarian — there are no formal facilities, benches, or signage beyond the posted warning about water quality. A small residence sits beside the highway near the spring. The surrounding landscape is typical of rural Nova Scotia: quiet, green, and pastoral. Parking is informal but spacious, with room to pull off along the shoulder of Highway 224. Given the posted warning and available water test results (coliform count of 16/100 ml as of late 2022, with possible fertilizer contamination reported), this spring is best treated as a non-potable water source. Visitors sometimes stop to collect water for non-drinking uses or simply to see the spring while passing through the area. The spring is accessible year-round, though winter conditions on Nova Scotia's rural highways can make travel more challenging. The site requires stepping slightly off-road from the highway, but no significant hiking or trail navigation is needed.