Nova Scotia is Model for Safe Drinking Water
Amherst is one of only five communities in Canada that will be featured in a federal report on good source protection of drinking water.
The five communities were selected by Environment Canada based on numerous criteria including: population size, water source, degree of isolation, vulnerability to contaminants, water scarcity, range of social economic levels and nature of governance.
Environment Canada chose Amherst to be part of its report because the town has developed an exemplary source water protection plan. The plan is part of the town's multi-barrier approach for the protection of drinking water -- from the source right to the tap. A multi-barrier approach entails: keeping clean water clean, making it safe, and proving it's safe.
"I'm pleased that one of our communities has been selected as a model. Amherst deserves recognition for its efforts," said Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash. "Municipalities, individuals and government have been doing a great job of working together to implement the province's Drinking Water Strategy and ensure Nova Scotians have clean, safe drinking water."
The protection of a municipality's water at the source is the most cost-effective means of ensuring a safe supply of drinking water because it reduces the need for expensive treatment options. Amherst, in conjunction with the Municipality of the County of Cumberland where the well field is located, has worked out an inter-municipality planning strategy to protect their water source.
The municipality has a land-use bylaw in place to protect Amherst's water supply. The protected area consists of three zones:
- The internal zone is 1,500 acres. Only water production is permitted in this area;
- The intermediate zone is 2,600 acres. Residential dwellings on lots larger than four hectares are permitted in this zone;
- The outside zone is 5,200 acres. Residential dwellings on 1.2 hectare lots are located there along with two existing farms and tourist homes. Various specific home occupations exist.
"Resources are often only considered in the here and now and traditional planning frequently only looks 10 years into the future," said Ron Patterson, director of operational services with the Town of Amherst. "We are planning for the next hundred years. In fact, there is no reason that our water supply shouldn't be here for the residents of Amherst in 200 years."
Currently only about half of municipal water supply systems in Nova Scotia have some form of source water protection in place. However, that number is increasing as municipalities continue to work with Nova Scotia Environment and Labour to improve drinking water supplies in the province.
The province's Drinking Water Strategy is based on a multiple- barrier approach to managing water systems. In an effort to help municipalities comply with the strategy's April 1, 2008 deadline, the province has published a guide entitled A Drinking Water Strategy for Nova Scotia.
"As Nova Scotia continues to grow and prosper, more pressures will be placed on our water resources. It's important that we all do our part to ensure that finding quality source water doesn't become more difficult for our municipalities and private homeowners," said Mr. Morash.
The Environment Canada report on good source protection of drinking water is expected to be released early this summer.