Nova Scotia EnvironmentSource Water Protection

Dawn MacNeill, BSc.H., AScT.

Watershed PlannerGeology MattersOctober 2012

Why Source Water Protection?

• Safe drinking water is essential for– Public health– Economic well-being of communities

• Cost-effective method to ensure the safety of the supply

• Part of the multiple barrier approach

Municipal Water Supply Areas

• 2002 Drinking Water Strategy

• Since 2003 it has been a condition of Utilities’ approval to operate that they are required to develop a source water protection plan

• 2010 Nova Scotia Water Resource Management Strategy• 2011 Wetlands Conservation Policy

• Mineral Resources Regulations– Sections 73 speaks to municipal water supply watershed lands

• Environment Act– 25 Protected Water Areas

• Municipal Government Act– Statement of Provincial Interest Regarding Drinking Water

Strategies & LegislationLake George Watershed Protected Water Area Regulations.

15   No person is permitted to extract peat, gravel, rock, minerals, aggregate materials, top soil or any non-renewable resources within the Protected Water Area.

Lake Major Watershed Protected Water Area Regulations

16   (1)    No person shall undertake any road construction work in the Protected Water Area unless the work is conducted between June 1 and September 30th, inclusive, in any year.

French Mill Brook Watershed Protected Water Area Regulations

 7 (7)    A person must not wash a vehicle or mechanical equipment in the Protected Water Area. 7  (8)    A person must not carry out maintenance of mechanical equipment in the Protected Water Area.

Source Water Protection Guidance Material

http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water/sourcewater.asp

Online Resources…

• Restricted & Limited Use Database (RLUL)• Groundwater Maps & Databases

Thank You For Your Time

Information is available at:

www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water

Contact InformationDawn MacNeill, Watershed PlannerWater & Wastewater Branch, Nova Scotia EnvironmentTel: 902-424-7647Fax: 902-424-0501

Email: macneidk@gov.ns.ca