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Central Water Supplies
About 45% of Islanders are serviced by public water supply systems, operated either by a municipality, or a private water supply utility. In addition to these central water supply systems, there are many semi-public, stand-alone water systems such as those that supply schools, day-care centres, etc. The delivery of safe drinking water by these systems involves a number of important steps, including the design, operation, monitoring and maintenance of the system. Many recent advances in this area have been developed as part of the provincial Drinking Water Strategy.
The construction, modification and operation of all except semi-public water supply systems requires a Certificate of Approval under Sections 13 and 16 of the Environmental Protection Act. Assessment of water systems for approval is based on the most current version of the Atlantic Canada Guidelines for the Supply, Treatment, Storage, Distribution, and Operation of Drinking Water Supply Systems document. In addition, wells constructed to supply these systems requires a Groundwater Exploration Permit and a Groundwater Extraction Permit.
The operation of public water supply systems is governed by the Drinking Water and Wastewater Facility Operating Regulations. Under these regulations, municipal water systems must be registered with the Province, and have a valid Facilities Classification Certificate. In addition, they are required to retain certified operators, and maintain water quality monitoring programs. Water quality results are assessed on the basis of the recommendations in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. The regulations also require that municipal water supply utilities develop wellfield protection plans to protect groundwater quality in areas used as their principle source of supply. While monitoring of water supplies is important, good maintenance practices are also a key factor in protecting water quality, and the department can provide advice to operators on proper water system maintenance.
Many of the provisions of the Drinking Water and Wastewater Facility Operating Regulations apply to other public water systems. Non-municipal central water supply systems must be registered, have a facilities classification certificate, retain certified operators and maintain water quality monitoring programs in the same manner as municipal water supplies. However, they will not be required to develop wellfield protection plans. Semi-public supplies will only need to be registered with the Province and maintain water quality monitoring programs.
