Those involved in the design and operation of drinking water systems in the Atlantic provinces have a valuable new tool to help guide their work.
On behalf of New Brunswick, Environment and Local Government Minister Brenda Fowlie; Nova Scotia Minister of Environment and Labour Kerry Morash; and Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation Newfoundland and Labrador; Prince Edward Island’s Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry Jamie Ballem released Atlantic Canada Guidelines for the Supply, Treatment, Storage, Distribution and Operation of Drinking Water Supply Systems Tuesday. The comprehensive document is intended to serve as a guide for those upgrading existing water systems or designing and developing new water supply projects in Atlantic Canada.
“The design and operation of central water supply systems is a key part of protecting our drinking water in Atlantic Canada,” said Minister Ballem. “Anywhere from 45 to 83 per cent of residents in various parts of the Atlantic region rely on a central water system for their drinking water.”
“This document will help maintain the high quality of drinking water for these Atlantic Canadians by providing guidance to municipalities, industry, consultants, developers and regulators when it comes to the design and operation of drinking water systems,” said Minister Ballem.
The water guidelines document was released at the annual conference of the Atlantic Canada Water Works Association in Charlottetown. The conference provides an opportunity for those involved in municipal drinking water or wastewater collection and treatment to meet and exchange ideas. The Atlantic Canada Water Works Association coordinated the development of the water guidelines document in cooperation with the four Atlantic provinces. In releasing the document, Minister Ballem recognized the association for its efforts.
The PEI Minister said the guidelines document complements the goals of each of the Atlantic provinces’ drinking water strategies. “The provincial strategies use what’s known as a multi-barrier approach to protect drinking water from the source through to the tap. The new guidelines document is another barrier of protection that, when taken with other measures the provinces have introduced, helps ensure Atlantic Canadians enjoy clean, safe drinking water.”
Atlantic Canada Guidelines for the Supply, Treatment, Storage, Distribution and Operation of Drinking Water Supply Systems is a companion document to the existing Atlantic Canada Standards and Guidelines Manual for the Collection, Treatment, and Disposal of Sanitary Sewage. Together, the two documents provide consistency in the design and operation of water and wastewater systems throughout the region. It is noted that this is a guidelines document only, and designers, municipalities and other users of the document should contact the regulatory authority in each province for specific requirements for water systems.