When the well is dry, we know the worth of water. – Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanac, 1746
H2O is a simple chemical symbol – two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen in each molecule. H2O – water – without which life would not exist.
We have such an abundance of water, don’t we? Especially in the Maritime provinces in Canada. There are over seven thousand kilometres of coastline, six thousand lakes larger than a hectare, rivers, wetlands, and groundwater resources. Such a limitless supply. Or is it?
Water shortages
This precious commodity is taken for granted everyday as part of our daily routine. Yet, water, as bountiful as it may seem, is finite. Nova Scotia is not immune to water-related problems. Indeed, the Annapolis Valley has experienced water shortages in its past. Water needs are estimated to increase by 45 percent in the next two decades.
In an effort to address our province’s economic and environmental sustainability, the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (EGSPA) was passed in our Legislature in 2007.
One of its 21 targets was a commitment by our provincial government to draft a water resources management strategy, which will be updated and revised as required. Three of the key features in the draft will address issues, such as drinking water, water quality, quantity, and wastewater.
The challenges of an increasing population in Nova Scotia
It is recognized that Nova Scotia’s population is increasing, which means water resources will be required for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use. It is estimated that by 2026, counties within a 90 minute commute to Halifax Municipality will be home to 70 percent of our population.
The need to provide water and waste disposal services will be paramount. As populations in rural areas and small towns increase, financing water infrastructure for these communities will be a concern. Each community will need to be addressed about its particular concerns. Each community is different and one solution won’t fit all communities.
Sixty percent of us rely on a municipal water system for drinking water, the other 40 percent on wells. Our province has one of the highest percentages of households in Canada where water requirements rely on groundwater resources.
At least 400,000 Nova Scotian residences depend on septage treatment facilities to manage material pumped from home septic tanks. For this reason, the proper construction, maintenance, and operation of septage treatment facilities are required to operate in accordance with the Guidelines for the Handling, Treatment and Disposal of Septage.
The treatment and management of wastewater
Discouragingly, there remains a small percentage of regions in the province where raw sewage is discharged into the environment, increasing the risk of contaminated drinking water and affecting our coastal waters, streams, and estuaries. Reducing these risks requires the proper treatment and management of wastewater. Most wastewater treatment facilities have primary treatment.
In 2009, Nova Scotia signed a Canada-wide municipal wastewater strategic strategy aimed toward minimal secondary treatment. Industrial and commercial activities can adversely affect water resources. Environmental impacts can be felt with substantial water withdrawals for these activities. This province’s current regulations require an approval for anyone using more than 23,000 litres of groundwater or surface water per day.
Guidelines for preserving water
Land development can affect aquatic ecosystems by altering water courses through things such as culverts and bridges, causing increased erosion or contaminated sediment build up. Creating a buffer zone or set-back area of natural vegetation providing protection for vulnerable regions is one solution that provincial land use planning should address.
Planning should always take into consideration the conservation of wetlands, one of the most essential ecosystems in the world. Wetlands are a natural habitat for wildlife, serving as a filtering system for pollutants entering our watercourses. They control flooding through their water retention capabilities. They’re a vital component of our ecosystems.
Preserving good water quality
Nova Scotia is the first in Atlantic Canada to have a comprehensive water resource management strategy to guide us in the future. Here are some things you can do in terms of water quality:
- Keep clean water on your property;
- Don’t allow sediment or contaminants to flow off your property;
- Avoid putting chemicals, prescription drugs, or other harmful products down the drain. Dispose of these products properly;
- Keep a buffer of natural vegetation along the edges of water courses;
- Avoid infilling or draining wetlands;
- Talk to Nova Scotia’s Department of Environment before resuming any activities on wetlands;
- You can either minimize or avoid pesticide use. These chemicals end up in rivers, streams, lakes, and wells;
- You may also want to keep your septic system and oil storage well maintained;
- Test your well and have the septic system pumped regularly, as well as your oil storage system. Test for bacterial presence every six months and for chemical quality every two years. Test more often if you notice changes in physical quality, such as taste, smell, or colour.
Tips for conserving water
With respect to water quantity, use a rain barrel, if possible, to water your garden and plant hardy, drought-tolerant native species. You may also want to install water saving devices, and choose low-flow appliances. Additionally, you can stagger water usage by running the shower, dishwasher, or washing machine at different times during the day.
Loren Eiseley, American anthropologist, philosopher, and natural science writer, summed it up well: “If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.”