New Plant Means Better Water for Bridgewater

Residents of Bridgewater are drinking better water thanks to a new treatment plant.

The plant follows the multi-barrier approach to preventing contamination outlined in Nova Scotia's drinking water strategy.

"This approach is to keep the source clean, treat the water to make it safe, and prove it's safe by testing," said Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash. "Bridgewater's plant and others across the province have adopted this approach to ensure Nova Scotians have clean, quality drinking water every day."

Mr. Morash toured the plant today, June 7, as one of his Environment Week activities. Environment Week runs from June 5 to 11 this year.

Before the $8 million plant opened in 2001, the town was chlorinating surface water and had several issues. The main problem was high levels of trihalomethanes (THMs). THMs can form when the chlorine used to disinfect drinking water reacts with naturally-occurring organic matter. They are a health risk.

"We designed our new plant to meet Canadian drinking water guidelines, including THMs. Our trained and knowledgeable staff continue to tweak the operation of the plant to address the THM issue," said town engineer Harland Wyand. "These efforts are paying off."

The treatment plant is providing water with about 50 parts per billion of THMs -- half the maximum amount allowed in the Canadian drinking water guidelines. That's down from 300 parts per billion with the old method.

"The multi-barrier approach to safe drinking water works, and we're proud to offer this service to Bridgewater residents," said Mr. Wyand, who is also president of the Municipal Public Works Association of Nova Scotia. "As municipalities across the province adopt this approach, more and more Nova Scotians are assured of quality drinking water."

The provincial drinking water strategy, other publications on safe water, and more information on keeping Nova Scotia's environment clean are available at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/envirowk .