• Business Plans and Strategy Documents
• Databases
• Emergency Related Fact Sheets
• Air
• Climate Change
• Land
• Water

Business Plans and Strategy Documents

Policies

• Environment Policy Documents

French Language Services

• Plan for 2023-2024
• Plan for 2022-2023
• Plan for 2021-2022 (PDF:232k)
• Plan for 2020-2021 (PDF:282k)
• Plan for 2019-2020 (PDF:1.1mb)

Databases

The department currently offers access to the following database(s):

• Pesticide Applications Approvals
• Well Logs Database
• Ambient Air Quality Data

Emergency Related Fact Sheets

• Cleaning up Sewage from your Basement: English (PDF:164k) | Français (PDF:204Ko)
• Drinking Water: English (PDF:205k) | Français (PDF:255Ko)
• Swimming After a Storm: English (PDF:141k) | Français (PDF:167Ko)
• Using Well Water After a Flood: English (PDF:131k) | Français (PDF:137Ko)
• Using Well Water after a Wildfire: English (PDF:141k) | Français (PDF:146Ko)
• Mitigating Risk to Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks (PDF:2.5mb)
• Mitigating Risk to Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks (PDF:3.2mb)
• Contingency Planning Guidelines (PDF:206k)

Air

• Nova Scotia Air Zone Report
• Air Quality Regulations
• The Air We Breathe (PDF:4.1mb) - Nova Scotia's Air Quality Report, 2000-2007
• Anti-idling Fact Sheet (PDF:46k)
• Guidelines for Environmental Noise Measurement and Assessment (PDF:652k)
• Nova Scotia Air Monitoring Stations - Map (PDF:1.3mb)
• Trans-Boundary Air Pollution Event - 2004 (PDF:1.9mb)

Climate Change

Please visit the Climate Change website for a complete list of related publications.

Land

Contaminated Sites

• Environmental Site Assessment - 783 Central Avenue, Greenwood, NS (PDF:9.3mb)

Environmental Assessments

Guides

• Guide to Considering Climate Change in Project Development in Nova Scotia (PDF:7mb) - February 2011
• Guide to Considering Climate Change in Environmental Assessments in Nova Scotia (PDF:4.5mb) - February 2011
• The Role of Proponents in Crown Consultation with the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia
• Proponent's Guide to Environmental Assessment (PDF:455k)
• Guide to Preparing an EA Registration Document for Wind Power Projects in Nova Scotia (PDF:494k)
• A Citizen’s Guide to Environmental Assessment (PDF:487k)
• Guide to Addressing Wildlife Species and Habitat in an EA Registration Document (PDF:119k)
• Guide to Preparing an EA Registration Document for Mining Developments in Nova Scotia (PDF:273k)
• Guide to Preparing an EA Registration Document for Pit and Quarry Developments in Nova Scotia (PDF:236k)
• Guide for Surface Coal Mine Reclamation Plans (PDF:174k)

Information Bulletins

• Requirements for Submitting Electronic Copies of Environmental Assessment Documents (PDF:226k)
• Developments That Require Environmental Assessment (PDF:210k)
• Regulatory Time Frames for Environmental Assessment (PDF:177k)
• Fee Schedule For Environmental Assessment (PDF:107k)

Studies / Plans

• Surface Coal Mine Action Plan for Cape Breton Regional Municipality (PDF:109k)

Pests and Pesticides

• Bed Bug
• Lawn Weed (PDF:302k)
• Carpenter Ant (PDF:1.1mb)
• Chinch Bug (PDF:205k)
• Common Diseases of Roses (PDF:22k)
• Earwig (PDF:37k)
• Eastern Tent Caterpillar (PDF:245k)
• Flea (PDF:25k)
• Garden Aphid (PDF:27k)
• Pests and Pesticides in Nova Scotia (PDF:73k)
• Pesticide Applications Approvals
• Pesticide Safety at Home (PDF:81k)
• Pesticide Safety in the Garden (PDF:33k)
• Powdery Mildew of Lilac, Phlox and Other Ornamentals (PDF:16k)
• Preventing Pests in the Home Garden (PDF:21k)
• Wasp (Yellowjacket) (PDF:36k)
• Understanding the Pesticide Label (PDF:70k)
• What Farm Operators Should Know About West Nile Virus (PDF:24k)
• What Tire Pile Owners Should Know About West Nile Virus (PDF:24k)
• White Grub (PDF:196k)

Petroleum Storage

• Petroleum Inventory Control Guide (PDF:244k)
• Daily Inventory Worksheet Underground Tanks (PDF:272k)
• Monthly Inventory Record Underground Tanks (PDF:475k)
• Weekly Inventory Worksheet Aboveground Tanks (PDF:257k)
• Monthly Inventory Record Aboveground Tanks (PDF:173k)
• NS Standards for Construction and Installation for Petroleum Storage Tank Systems 2021 (PDF:759k)
• Nova Scotia Standards for Construction and Installation for Petroleum Storage Tank Systems 1997 (PDF:288k)

Protected Areas

• A Second Location for the Rare Boreal Felt Lichen in Nova Scotia (PDF:41k)
• Guide to Campsite Leases and Licences in Protected Wilderness Areas (PDF:417k)
• Guide to Conducting Research in Wilderness Areas & Nature Reserves (PDF:496k)
• Keep It Wild - A Guide For Low Impact Recreation In Nova Scotia's Wilderness Areas (PDF:4mb)
• Keep It Wild - Wilderness Area Standards (PDF:749k)
• Lichen Indicators of Ecosystem Health in Nova Scotia's Protected Areas (PDF:53k)
• Natural Landscapes: Report (PDF:11.4mb), Map (PDF:2.2mb), List (PDF:212k)
• Nature Reserves of Nova Scotia (PDF:664k)
• Occurrence and Abundance of Epiphytic Cyanolichens in Protected Areas of Nova Scotia, Canada (PDF:181k)
• Order on Camping and Lighting of Fires (PDF:9k)
• Protecting Private Land (PDF:3.7mb)
• Protecting Wilderness: A Summary of the Wilderness Areas Protection Act (PDF:1.9mb)
• Provincial Protected Areas Maps: Colour (PDF:936k)
• Technical Notes: Floristic Survey of Canso Coastal Barrens Wilderness Area (PDF:1.2mb)
• Technical Notes: Research Topics in Protected Areas (PDF:1.9mb)
• Technical Notes: Wallace Lake Fire Report (PDF:3.4mb)

Recycling and Waste

• Inter-departmental Committee on Used Tire Management (PDF:88k)
• An Assessment of the Use of Tires as Alternative Fuel (PDF:4.1mb)
• Advisory Committee Report on Used-Tire Management (PDF:1.2mb)
• Policy on Review of Electronic Stewardship Plans (PDF:69k)
• Electronic Waste - Background (PDF:14k)

Guidelines and Standards

• Composting Facility Guidelines (PDF:66k)
• Grease Trap Waste Guidelines (PDF:77k)
• Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Guidelines (PDF:303k)
• Solid Waste Management Facility Guidelines for Municipal Waste Transfer (PDF:312k)
• Solid Waste Management Facility Guidelines for Construction and Demolition Debris Storage, Transfer, Process & Disposal (PDF:385k)
• Standard for Commercial Vehicle Salvage Facilities (PDF:399k)

Agreements

• Dairy Stewardship Agreement (PDF:16k)
• Newsprint (PDF:11k)
• Sharps (residential syringes) (PDF:14k)
• Telephone Directory Stewardship Agreement (PDF:111k)

Water

• Atlantic Canada Guidelines for Drinking Water Supply Systems (PDF:1.5mb)
• A Drinking Water Strategy for Nova Scotia - Final Report (PDF:399k)
• Become a Water Steward in Your Community (PDF:131k)
• Boil Water Fact Sheet (PDF:50k)
• Before You Construct a Water Well (PDF:656k)
• Designated Protected Water Areas in Nova Scotia (PDF:442k)
• Designation of a Protected Water Area (PDF:859k)
• Erosion and Sedimentation Control : Handbook for Construction Sites (PDF:4.3mb)
• Facility Classification Standards (PDF:115k)
• Flow Chart for Radionuclide Testing in Well Water (PDF:551k)
• A Guide for Private Well Owners:
  English (PDF:333k), français (PDF:766Ko)
• Guideline for Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Certificate Renewal  (PDF:36k)
• Maintaining Distribution System Water Quality (PDF:30k)
• Preparing an Action Plan when contamination persists following disinfection (PDF:19k)
• Radionuclides in Well Water: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF:89k)
• Safe Drinking Water for Public Water Systems: An Overview of a Diligent Approach (PDF:65k)
• Safe Drinking Water for Public Water Systems: A Diligent Approach (PDF:140k)
• Save Water in Your Home (PDF:91k)
• Sources of Radiation Exposure in Canada (PDF:214k)
• Taking Care of Your Water Supply (PDF:83k)
• Testing your well water for Lead-210 (PDF:116k)
• Users that must take particular precautions during a boil advisory (PDF:33k)
• Water Conservation (PDF:156k)
• Water, A Natural Recycler (PDF:169k)
• Water Wisdom Fact Sheet (PDF:146k)
• Water Utility Standard Operating Procedures and Contingency Plans Guidance (PDF:584k)
• Well Disinfection Procedures (PDF:20k)

Maps

• Groundwater Resource Reports and Maps
• Municipal Drinking Water Supplies of Nova Scotia (PDF:1.1mb)
• Protected Water Areas of Nova Scotia (PDF:519k)

The Drop on Water

• The Drop on Water Fact Sheets

Municipal Water Approval Protocols

Municipal Water Approvals Protocols

Water Protection Plan

• Step 1 - Form a Source Water Protection Advisory Committee (PDF:2.4mb)
• Step 2 - Delineate a Source Water Protection Area Boundary (PDF:2.2mb)
• Step 3 - Identify Potential Contaminants and Assess Risk (PDF:2.6mb)
• Step 4 - Develop a Source Water Protection Management Plan (PDF:2.4mb)
• Step 5 - Develop a Monitoring Program (PDF:2.1mb)

Wastewater and Sewage Disposal

On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems

• Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems (PDF:17.9mb)
• Taking Care of Your Home Sewage Disposal System (PDF:153k)

Municipal Wastewater

• Atlantic Canada Standards and Guidelines Manual for the Collection, Treatment, and Disposal of Sanitary Sewage (PDF:3.2mb)
• Municipal Wastewater Effluent Newsletters

Biosolids

• Biosolids FAQ (PDF:53k)
• Guideline for the Storage and Application of Biosolids (PDF:235k)

• On-site Sewage Disposal Systems Technical Guidelines