gov.ns.ca / Environment / Air, Land, Water / Water / Surface Water

Surface Water

Surface water is water that is found in lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, and other natural watercourses. It is also found in marine bays, estuaries, and oceans. This valuable resource provides drinking water, supplies Nova Scotian businesses with their water supply, and supports important industries such as fishing, farming and electric power generation. Surface water is not recommended as a drinking water source unless properly filtered and disinfected and monitored for water quality. (PDF: 71k) Surface water supports various recreational activities such as swimming and boating, and provides habitat for aquatic life. Overall, a clean, abundant supply of surface water supports the health of humans and aquatic ecosystems, a strong economy, and provides a high quality of life for Nova Scotians.

The department’s role in managing and protecting surface water in Nova Scotia includes;

establishing water resource inventories for both surface water quality and quantity,
allocating available water resources amongst various users through surface water withdrawal approvals,
protecting surface waters from human influences by regulating activities through approvals, including:
- storm drainage works approvals
- wastewater discharge approvals
- wetland alteration approvals
- watercourse alteration approvals
- approvals for construction of dams and storage of water
For more information on these approvals see Other Required Approvals to Protect Surface Water
developing guidelines, standards, policies, and strategies,
ensuring sustainable water use through several key surface water management programs,
promoting watershed planning, stewardship (PDF: 131k), and use of best management practices (BMPs)
monitoring surface waters to track trends in water quality and quantity,
developing and maintaining surface water databases, maps, and publications

Surface Water in Nova Scotia

There are over 10,000 lakes in Nova Scotia, with nearly 6700 lakes that are greater than a hectare in surface area. There are also over 100 river systems in the province having thousands of kilometres of waterways draining to marine waters. Our 7400 kilometers of shoreline provide many bays and inlets supporting tourism, recreation, and fisheries related industry, our coastal communities, as well as our maritime life style.

About half of Nova Scotians rely on surface water for their residential water supply. Surface water used as a drinking water supply should always be filtered and treated before consumption.

Surface water in Nova Scotia is generally of good quality and suitable for expected uses such as drinking water supply, swimming, and fish habitat. However, there are several types of naturally occurring and human-made water quality problems that can occur and therefore, it is important to test water quality to ensure its safety. The surface water in Nova Scotia page has more information about surface water use, and the quantity and quality of surface water in the province.

Surface Water Withdrawal Approvals

Surface water withdrawal approvals are one of the key management tools used by the department to ensure that surface water use in the province is sustainable. In Nova Scotia, a water withdrawal approval is required if a surface water withdrawal exceeds 23,000 litres per day (5,000 gallons per day). Most households do not require withdrawal approvals because they typically use between 700 and 1,400 litres per day (150 to 300 gallons per day). Commercial and industrial operations typically use more than 23,000 litres per day and, therefore, would require withdrawal approvals. More information on how to apply for a surface water withdrawal approval can be found at the following links;

Other Required Approvals to Protect Surface Water

The department regulates certain activities which have potential to impact water resources. The Activities Designation Regulations list a number of activities which require an approval in order to protect surface water.

Activities other than surface water withdrawals include;

storm drainage works
storm drainage works policy (PDF: 99k)
wetland alterations
watercourse alterations
construction of dams and storage of water
wastewater discharges
- sewage disposal (on-site)
- municipal sewer

Surface Water Guidelines

The department has produced a number of guidelines, standards, policies, and strategies for the protection and overall management of surface water. These are intended to ensure sustainable use of water and to maintain the beneficial water uses that Nova Scotians have come to enjoy. Our surface water guidelines page provides more information on departmental documents which guide our programs and processes to better protect surface water.

Surface Water Management Programs

The goal of surface water management in Nova Scotia is to protect surface water and ensure that it is allocated and used in a sustainable manner. Sustainable surface water use helps promote economic development and environmental protection by ensuring that residents and business relying on surface water will have access to safe, adequate, and reliable water supplies and by protecting the health of aquatic ecosystems which are vital to the quality of life for Nova Scotians. Our page on surface water management programs provides more information on the department’s key surface water management initiatives including surface water inventory, allocation, protection (watershed management), monitoring and reporting, and management tools and evaluation.