Public Drinking Water Supplies
A public drinking water supply is a water works system for the provision to the public of piped water for human consumption where the system has at least 15 service connections or serves 25 or more individuals per day at least 60 days of the year. This includes municipal, commercial, institutional, industrial, and privately owned water supplies. Examples of public drinking water supplies include schools, restaurants, nursing homes, campgrounds and parks that are on their own water supply. Public drinking water comes from streams, rivers, lakes, springs and underground aquifers.
- About Public Drinking Water Supplies
- Definition of Public Drinking Water Supply
- Nova Scotia Well Logs Database
- Overview of the new Public Drinking Water Supply Program
- Operator Certification and Classification Certificate for water and wastewater facilities
Water Testing
Public drinking water supplies are required to use an approved laboratory for water quality testing. To be approved, a laboratory must meet the requirements of the "Policy on Acceptable Certification of Laboratories (PDF: 248k)".
- Water Testing Labs in Nova Scotia
- Microbiological Sampling - Basic Procedures (PDF: 243k)
- Sample Collection and Preservation:
Types of Public Drinking Water Supplies
There are two types of public drinking water supplies: registered water supplies and municipal water supplies. There are approximately 1800 registered public drinking water supplies and 82 municipal water supplies in Nova Scotia.
Registered Water Supplies
Owners of these supplies are responsible for the delivery of water in accordance with provincial standards and for meeting their requirements for due diligence – making sure the water they deliver is properly managed and protected.
- Boil Water Fact Sheet (PDF: 66k)
- Users That Must Take Particular Precautions During a Boil Advisory (PDF: 33k)
- Guidelines for Monitoring Public Drinking Water Supplies (PDF: 205k)
- Guideline Limits for Chemical/Physical Parameters (PDF: 39k)
- Microbiological Sampling - Basic Procedures (PDF: 243k)
- Preparing an Action Plan when contamination persists following disinfection (PDF: 19k)
- Registration Form for Public Drinking Water Supplies (PDF: 240k)
- Responsibilities of a Registered Public Drinking Water Supply Owner (PDF: 44k)
- Safe Drinking Water for Public Water Systems
- Well Contractors (Well Drillers, Diggers, Pump Installers and Public Drinking Water Supply Contractors)
- Well Disinfection Procedures (PDF: 16k)
Municipal Water Supplies
Approximately 60% of Nova Scotians receive treated drinking water from central groundwater or surface water supplies operated by municipal water utilities. Municipal water utilities are responsible for the delivery of water in accordance with provincial standards and for meeting their requirements for due diligence – making sure the water they deliver is properly managed and protected.
- Boil Water Fact Sheet (PDF: 66k)
- Users That Must Take Particular Precautions During a Boil Advisory (PDF: 33k)
- Atlantic Canada Guidelines for Drinking Water Supply Systems (PDF: 1.5mb)
- Developing a Municipal Source Water Protection Plan
- A Guide to Assist Nova Scotia Municipal Water Works Prepare Annual Sampling Plans (PDF: 106k)
- A Guide for Municipal Water Works On How The Guidelines For Canadian Drinking Water Quality Are Implemented In Nova Scotia (PDF: 108k)
- Guidelines for Monitoring Public Drinking Water Supplies (PDF: 205k)
- Maintaining Distribution System Water Quality (PDF: 30k)
- Municipal Water Approval Protocols
- Potable Water Hauler Guidelines (PDF: 1.9mb)
- Safe Drinking Water for Public Water Systems
- Water Utility Standard Operating Procedures and Contingency Plans Guidance (PDF: 49k)
- Water Withdrawal Approvals - Application Requirements
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