New Water Guides Announced

Nova Scotia has introduced two new drinking water education projects. Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash announced the completion of the projects today, July 7, during the second annual Canadian conference on Drinking Water Management.

"Environment and Labour is proud to take the lead in developing and implementing activities to protect our drinking water," said Mr. Morash. "Our provincial Drinking Water Strategy places significant emphasis on education. Completing these two projects meets yet another milestone laid out in our strategy."

The first education project is a handbook on Due Diligence. It is written for municipal councillors and public utility operators who oversee the management of their water utilities.

The second project is a set of six handbooks that outline the process for completing a source water protection plan.

"Ensuring Nova Scotians have access to safe clean drinking water is an important role for government," said Mr. Morash. "So in addition to education, we're also managing our water resources by developing clear policies and regulations."

Nova Scotia was the first province in Canada to address the issue of radionuclides in water. It created a testing protocol and treatment approach that is serving as a model for other jurisdictions. It was one of the first provinces to incorporate the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines into provincial regulations. And it has created regulations for the registration and monitoring of public drinking water systems, such as those found in schools, restaurants, and campgrounds.

The provincial Drinking Water Strategy is based on a universally recognized multiple-barrier approach to managing water systems. The multiple-barrier approach calls for a series of safeguards along the water supply route to protect water resources.

The key elements of the Drinking Water Strategy are to clarify roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders, enhance the multiple-barrier approach to water management and create an inter-departmental drinking water management committee to manage and implement the strategy.