Comprehensive New Drinking Water Law Introduced

Acting Environment Minister Michael Baker today announced a comprehensive new law to improve drinking water quality and delivery throughout the province.

Mr. Baker said the new regulations and guidelines for monitoring public drinking supplies will go further in guaranteeing safe drinking water in all public places in the province, and homes on municipal water supplies. He pointed to frequent testing, prompt reporting and an effective response to problems, as reasons why the public should feel safe.

"For the first time, requirements for screening and reporting of drinking water quality for all public drinking water supplies will be law," said Mr. Baker.

Dr. Jeff Scott, provincial medical officer of health, helped draft the new guidelines.

"Safe drinking water is essential for good public health and we support any measure which will help us protect and maintain water quality for Nova Scotians," said Dr. Scott.

"These regulations provide the framework to ensure that the public is protected. The key is for all organizations involved in the provision and monitoring of safe drinking water to work together to effectively implement them."

Beginning Oct. 1, water supply owners in Nova Scotia who operate public drinking water systems which serve 25 or more people - at least 60 days a year - will be required to begin registering their water supply.

They include municipal suppliers as well as commercial or non- profit organizations including restaurants, schools, nursing homes and campgrounds that are not on a municipal water supply. Once a system is registered, the supplier is required to follow a monitoring plan for their drinking water system. The plan will be designated by the Department of the Environment.

Specifically, the regulations require water supply owners to monitor their water supply and to ensure that tests are taken for a comprehensive range of health-related parameters, such as total coliforms, fecal coliforms or E. coli, chlorine residuals, lead, and arsenic. The owners have to alert the department of any problems and must take corrective action, when required.

All water supplied must also meet health-based water quality guidelines published by Health Canada.

The guidelines call for:

• regular and frequent sampling and testing of water;
• micro-biological and chemical testing to be conducted by approved laboratories;
• suppliers to meet stringent water quality standards;
• prescribed action to be taken if problems arise; and
• clear requirements for the immediate, person-to-person communication of reports of potentially unsafe water situations to the Department of the Environment, the local medical officer of health and the water supply owner.

Routine monitoring by the water supply owner will ensure a more pro-active approach to detecting and resolving any problems. The Department of the Environment plays an important role in this process through auditing.

"These new regulations lay down improved drinking water standards and policies that reflect current expertise and procedures for drinking water protection," said Mr. Baker.

He added that the new regulations are a kickoff to a public education program called Clean Water Watch.

"Today I would like to designate Oct. 2-6 as Clean Water Watch Week. During that week we encourage all municipal water suppliers to open their doors to the public for open houses," said the minister.

"With the implementation of this program, people should feel assured that the water they are drinking is being tested and is meeting the highest standards," said Mr. Baker. "We are also aiming to educate them about their drinking water supply."

More information on the regulations and guidelines for monitoring public drinking supplies is available on the department's website at www.gov.ns.ca/envi/, or call the new toll-free number 1-866- 850-5335 during office hours.