Approximately 46% of Nova Scotians rely primarily on groundwater from dug or drilled wells for their private supply. Private well owners are responsible for ensuring that their wells are constructed to provincial standards and for testing their water regularly to confirm that it is free of any natural or man-made impurities.

General Information

• About Private Drinking Water Supplies
• Well Disinfection Procedures (PDF: 20k)
• Boil Water Fact Sheet (PDF: 66k)

• The Drop on Water - Fact Sheets:
  English | Français
• Your Well Water: English | Français
• A Guide for Private Well Owners:
  English (PDF: 333k), Français (PDF: 766k)

Well Construction

• Before You Construct a Water Well (PDF: 656k) (Note: The drinking water guideline for arsenic, on page 24, has been changed to 0.010 mg/L effective May 2006)
• Nova Scotia Well Logs Database
• Well Contractors (Well Drillers, Diggers, Pump Installers and Public Drinking Water Supply Contractors)

Water Testing

• Tips for Testing Your Well Water
• Water Testing Labs in Nova Scotia
• Sample Collection and Preservation:
  Chemical/Physical Quality and Microbiological Quality

Water Conservation and Protection

• Become a Water Steward in Your Community (PDF: 131k)
• Save Water in Your Home (PDF: 91k)
• Taking Care of Your Water Supply (PDF: 83k)
• Water, A Natural Recycler (PDF: 169k)
• Water Conservation (PDF: 156k)