On-site Sewage Approvals Faster, Better Protect the Environment

Nova Scotia home builders will save time and money because of new regulations for the installation of on-site septic systems.

The changes also give inspectors more time to ensure environmental protections are in place.

The regulations apply to septic systems that operate where municipal sewer and water systems are not accessible. A pilot project to test the proposed changes reduced approval wait times from three weeks to one.

"These regulations help us achieve our goal of having one of the cleanest and most sustainable environments in the world by 2020," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour. "We can save builders time and money, and boost business for the construction industry, while improving environmental protections."

The approval process has been streamlined so qualified people can submit documents to confirm that regulations and technical guidelines are being followed during system installations. The installation is then reviewed by a departmental inspector.

The changes also improve access to new technologies and matches provincial regulations more closely with that of other provinces.

The regulations are a result of public consultation that invited and reviewed 75 comments from industry, community organizations, governments, consultants and citizens. Waste Water Nova Scotia was one group whose contributions resulted in strong, effective, changes.

"Waste Water Nova Scotia worked co-operatively with the department on new regulations," said Phil Cameron, chair of the association. "These improvements of how on-site sewage disposal is managed in Nova Scotia will allow all of us to provide a better quality of service to rural Nova Scotians, while keeping in mind the importance of protecting the environment."

The new regulation supports the government's commitments under the proposed Act Respecting Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity, announced March 22. It also supports Environment and Labour's Competitiveness and Compliance Initiative goal to reduce administrative burdens on business. The initiative is a key part of Better Regulation--Everyone's Business, the government of Nova Scotia's far-reaching plan for improving regulation in the province.