Province Information - Nova Scotia, Canada

While the population of Nova Scotia is declining in general, this does not mean a corresponding decline in the stress on water resources. Domestic, industrial, agricultural, and recreational uses for water are intensifying in parts of Nova Scotia. It is currently estimated that by 2026, the Halifax Regional Municipality and counties within a 90-minute commute of downtown Halifax will be home to almost 70 per cent of Nova Scotia’s population. Sixty per cent of Nova Scotians rely on a municipal water system for their drinking water, while the other 40 per cent get their water privately – from a drilled or dug well, or a surface water source. The Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (2007) states that the province will develop a comprehensive water resource management strategy by 2010. Nova Scotia Environment Department anticipates releasing the strategy in March 2010. Conservation and efficiency issues are being considered as part of this strategy.

Nova-Scotia-(2008)-Water-for-Life-Water-Strategy 

1. What provincial ministry, department or agencies are in charge of water conservation/efficiency?
2. Does the province require preparation of drought emergency plans by water utilities or cities on any prescribed schedule?
No.
3. Does the province have a mandatory planning requirement for drinking water conservation separate from drought emergency plans?

No
Additional Information:

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations signed Municipal Funding Agreements (MFA) with individual municipalities that define the terms and conditions under which the federal gas tax transfers funding flows to municipalities. As a requirement for funding, municipalities are expected to prepare and submit Integrated Community Sustainability Plans (ICSPs)  by 2010.

An ICSP is a long-term strategic plan for municipalities.  Developed in consultation with members of the community, it identifies goals for sustainability and provides direction for communities as they move into the future. While it also does not have a water conservation requirement, municipalities are encouraged to consider water in its planning and Nova Scotia has published guidelines for developing plans.


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4. Does the province require implementation of conservation measures as well as preparation of plans?
No

Additional Information:

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5. Does the province have the authority to approve or reject the conservation plans?

plan completeness?

No

satisfactory content?

No

Additional Information:
Not applicable.

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6. Does the province have minimum water efficiency standards more stringent than federal or national requirements?
No

No, however changes are pending

The Climate Change Action Plan set a target to require low-flush toilets, to permit the use of water-free technologies, and to permit the re-use of grey water by December 31, 2009, under the Nova Scotia Building Code Act.

The Building and Plumbing Code has been adopted into law by the Nova Scotia Building Code Act, amended 2005, effective July 1, 2006 and accompanying regulations effective September 1, 2006.

The National Building Code of Canada is the model building code of Canada. It is issued by the Institute for Research and Construction (IRC), part of the National Research Council of Canada. As a model code, it has no legal status until it is adopted by a jurisdiction that regulates construction. The Provinces and Territories of Canada are allowed to adopt parts or all of the code and to alter the code as they see fit.

The National Building Code is currently undergoing revisions and a proposal was made in 2008 to update the Non-potable Water Systems Section 2.7.4 to include design requirements in accordance with CSA B128.1 and to limit use of non-potable water to water closets, urinals, and directly connected underground irrigation systems.

As of 2005 the National Plumbing Code does not explicitly mandate water efficient fixtures with a required maximum flush volume for toilets, or maximum flow rates for showerheads or faucets – instead it references the ASME A112.18.1-2005 / CSA B125.1-2005 standards which dictate maximum flush volumes for toilets of 13.2 litres, maximum flow rates of 8.3 litres per minute (Lpm) for lavatory and kitchen faucets, and 9.5 Lpm for showerheads. The National Plumbing Code currently allows non-potable sources to be used with dual plumbing systems within the home for fixtures other than sinks and faucets, and rainwater to be used for underground irrigation. 

7. Does the province regulate drinking water supplies and require conservation as part of its permitting process or water right permit?
Yes

Environment Act - the Activities Designation Regulations (Division I) require a water withdrawal approval ("Water Approval") if a surface or groundwater withdrawal exceeds 23,000 litres per day.

Water Resources Protection Act 2000 – prohibits large-scale removals of water.

Source Water Protection Plans - As part of the Drinking Water Management Program, the province requires the development of source water protection plans. While this plan is not prescriptive in content, it does allow for municipalities to discuss and address issues of relating to water conservation if they identify quantity of water as an issue for the supply.

Water and Wastewater Facilities and Public Drinking Water Supplies Regulations - The regulations require public drinking water supply owners to test their water supplies on a regular basis, to inform their customers and Nova Scotia Environment if there are problems, and to take corrective action to address any problems which may be identified. All water supplied must meet health based Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality published by Health Canada.

Nova Scotia does not require conservation as part of its permitting process or water right permit.

The water withdrawal approvals process requires notation of “measures to protect the watercourse”.


8. Does the province support water conservation under its Drinking Water or Wastewater infrastructure funding programs?

Drinking Water?

No

Waste Water?

No

Additional Information:

No, with the exception of metering.

Canada does not have a revolving fund for infrastructure loans. Federally, the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) provides grants for up to 50% of project costs, or below-market, low interest loans of up to 80% of project costs. FCM is an advocacy organization; however the Government of Canada endowed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) with $550 million to establish the GMF program.

The GMF funds municipal projects and studies, which have included feasibility studies of water conservation programs, water distribution system leak detection and control projects, plumbing retrofit programs, wastewater recycling and sustainable community plans involving water conservation. At this time, the funding focus for capital projects in the water sector is on wastewater, while sustainable community plans, conservation-related studies, and field tests continue to be eligible.

The Building Canada plan is the primary mechanism in Canada for funding water and wastewater infrastructure, and encompasses a number of funds including provincial and municipal base funding, gas tax funds, and the Building Canada fund. Over half of the funding under the Building Canada plan is provided as base funding to municipalities, and the funds are generally administered by the provinces. The Building Canada fund promotes long-term funding of water infrastructure projects, including projects designed to improve conservation of water. Funding focuses on improved treatment standards that emphasize the protection of human health. The projects are required to be supported by measures that improve the management of sources of drinking water, reduce demand, and improve the management of drinking water infrastructure.

All projects are cost shared, generally in equal thirds between federal/provincial/municipal governments. The Building Canada fund operates through two components: the Major Infrastructure Component (MIC) that targets large strategic projects of national and regional significance, and the Communities Component that focuses on projects in communities with populations of less than 100,000.

To date, funded projects have focused on centralized infrastructure as opposed to conservation efforts, with the exception of metering. Capital cost funding projects must result in a tangible capital asset. Planning costs are also eligible, which could potentially support the development of water conservation plans.


9. Does the province offer other financial assistance? Environmental grants? Rebates? Tax Exemptions?

Yes.

The Province provides toilet rebates as part of the federal-provincial program ecoEnergy / Ontario Home Energy Savings program for energy conservation. These programs provide homeowners with up to $100 rebate for replacement of an inefficient toilet with a new model that flushes with 6 litres or less (50 per cent of the rebate paid by the province and 50 per cent paid by the federal government’s ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes Program).

10. Does the province offer direct or indirect technical assistance to the public?

Yes.

Hot Water Answers – discusses hot water uses within the home, and the costs and benefits of changing to low-flow showerheads.

A surface-water monitoring project in the Annapolis Valley is allowing farmers to better manage water use and protect the resource. The Pereau River Project will use in-stream gauges to continuously measure water volume and collect data. Farmers will use up-to-the-minute data to make decisions about how much water to withdraw for irrigation, and how often, without threatening the sustainability of the watershed.

Rainwater Cisterns Best Practice Guide offers technical guidance for minimum volumetric capacity, piping and treatment requirements, and provides costs estimates on a volumetric basis.

Rain Barrel Best Practice Guide outlines the benefits of rain barrels for outdoor watering and includes design recommendations.

11. Does the province provide provincial ET microclimate information?
No.
12. Does the province have a water conservation and efficiency strategy?
No


Additional Information:

13. Does the province have standards for alternative water sources?
No



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