Site Work, Water & Sewer
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Site work includes general excavation, and grading as well as any work that alters or uses a watercourse. For example, culverts, bridges, dams, causeways and wharves.
Water and sewer requirements include wells and water supplies, on-site septic systems as well as sewer and septage works.
See the Environment Act and associated regulations.
| Requirement | Document | Act / Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Attain an alteration of watercourse approval (includes: bridge, causeway, pipeline, culvert, pond, dam, removal of material, dredging, storage of water, erosion protection, watercourse diversion, fishing equipment, water withdrawal/diversion, ford, wetland, instream structure, wharf, other alteration)
Additional requirements regarding monitoring, reporting and approval renewals, where necessary, will be contained within the approval. More Information |
Application for Approval (PDF) Submission Checklist (PDF) Wharves (PDF) Arch or Open Bottom Box Culverts (PDF) Clear Span Permanent Bridges (PDF) Pipe Culverts (PDF) Dry Hydrants in Non-flowing Watercourses (PDF) Erosion Protection (PDF) |
Section 3(1) Activities Designation Regulations |
Attain an wetland alteration approval. Alterations are defined as filling, draining, flooding, or excavating a wetland. |
Application for Approval (PDF) | Section 3(1) Activities Designation Regulations |
Attain a water allocation approval (includes: withdrawing or diverting more than 23,000 litres per day; constructing or maintaining a dam; storing more than 25,000 cubic meters of water) |
Application for Approval (PDF) | Section 5(1) Activities Designation Regulations |
Erosion and Sedimentation Control
| Requirement | Document | Act / Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Complete and submit well construction records | Water Well Decommissioning Record Form (PDF) Guidelines (PDF) |
Section 46 to Section 49, Well construction record - Section 46(1), Well decommissioning record - Section 47(1), and Well pump installer record - Section 48(1) Well Construction Regulations |
| Attain a water works approval
Additional requirements regarding monitoring, reporting and approval renewals, where necessary, will be contained within the approval. More Information |
Application for Approval (PDF) | Part 3, Section 9 Activities Designation Regulations |
Attain (and renew) a Pump Installer's Certificate of Qualification |
Form (PDF) Renewal Form (PDF) |
Section 7 and 8 Well Construction Regulations |
Attain (and renew) a Well Digger's Certificate of Qualification |
Form (PDF) Renewal Form (PDF) |
Section 5 Well Construction Regulations |
Attain (and renew) a Well Driller's Certificate of Qualification |
Form (PDF) Renewal Form (PDF) |
Section 4 Well Construction Regulations |
More Information
- Definition of a water works, see Part 3, Section 9 Activities Designation Regulations
- Groundwater Regions of Nova Scotia
- Groundwater Resource Reports and Maps
- Well diggers/drillers, pump installers and public drinking water supplies contractors in Nova Scotia
- Well logs online
- The Drop on Water Fact Sheets - A series of fact sheets with information on water quality parameters, such as bacteria and chemicals, that may be present in well water.
- Interactive Groundwater Map - An interactive tool for better understanding of groundwater issues in an area.
| Requirement | Document | Act / Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Attain a sewage and storm works approval
Additional requirements regarding monitoring, reporting and approval renewals, where necessary, will be contained within the approval. More Information |
Application for Approval (PDF) | Section 3(1), 3(2) and Section 7(1) Activities Designation Regulations |
| Attain a septage works approval
Additional requirements regarding monitoring, reporting and approval renewals, where necessary, will be contained within the approval. |
Application for Approval (PDF) | Requirement for monitoring/reporting is included within the approval |
Attain (and renew) a Septic System Installer Licence |
Form (PDF) | Section 31 On-site Sewage Disposal Systems Regulations |
Attain (and renew) a Qualified Person II Certificate of Qualification |
Form (PDF) | Section 26 On-site Sewage Disposal Systems Regulations |
Attain (and renew) a Septic Tank Cleaners Certificate of Qualification |
Form (PDF) | Section 36 On-site Sewage Disposal Systems Regulations |
More Information
- Definition of sewage, storm works, and septage works, see Division III, Section 7, Activities Designation Regulations
- On-site Sewage Disposal Systems Technical Guidelines (Hard copies are available through Environment Regional Offices)
- Atlantic Canada Wastewater Guidelines Manual for Collection, Treatment, and Disposal (PDF)