Water Step 4 - Nova Scotia · 2009. 5. 27. · Title: Water Step 4 Created Date: 2/2/2009 10:07:51 AM

Environmen

t Developing a Municipal Source Water Protection Plan:A Guide for Water Utilities and Municipalities

Step4Develop a Source Water Protection Management Plan

Prepared by:Nova Scotia EnvironmentWater and Wastewater Branch2004Reprinted 2009

Designing Plans for SourceWaterProtection in Nova Scotia

A Drinking Water Strategy For Nova Scotiadescribes a multiple-barrier approach to clean,safe drinking water for Nova Scotians. The firstline of defence in this multiple-barrier approach isto keep clean water clean. This booklet seriesdescribes how water utilities and municipalitiescan do that. It guides you through the process ofdeveloping a source water protection plan for yourmunicipal water supply.

To keep clean water clean, we must protect thesource water supply area. This guide describesStep Four in the process recommended by NovaScotia Environment (NSE) for implementing asource water protection plan: Develop a SourceWater Protection Management Plan.4Step4Develop a Source Water Protection Management Plan

Table of Contents

Step Four Flow Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Source Water Protection Management Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Moving Forward from Step Three to Step Four . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Set Management Goals and Objectives . . . . 4What Should the Management Plan Achieve? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Assembling the Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Public Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Identify Management Options . . . . . . . . . . . 5The ABCs of Source Water ManagementPlanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5(A) cquisition of Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5(B) ylaws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6(B) est Management Practices . . . . . . . 6(C) ontingency Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8(D) esignation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9(E) ducation and Stewardship . . . . . . . 11

Solicit Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Building Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Informing the Public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Draft the Management Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Final Product . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

For More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Step Four Flow Chart Introduction

Source water protection is an approach to water-resource management that enables individuals,groups, and institutions with a stake in manage-ment outcomes (often called stakeholders) toparticipate in identifying and addressing localissues that affect local water supply areas.

Source water protection plans should becommunity-based and involve local stakeholders.This approach results in solutions that respect a community’s unique social, economic, andenvironmental conditions and values. Stakeholderparticipation also creates a sense of commitmentto resolve identified problems and developsolutions, thus ensuring long-term support forresulting management plans.

Almost every activity on the land has the potentialto affect the quality of water in a community.Management planning brings together the peoplewithin the source water protection area to addressthose activities, regardless of existing politicalboundaries. By working together, individualswithin the source water protection area can designa coordinated management plan that builds uponthe strengths of existing programs and resources,and addresses the water quality concerns in anintegrated, cost-effective manner.

Matching management options to issues that affectsource water quality (Step Three) is a critical stepin the development of a source water protectionplan. At this stage the advisory committee willfocus on developing management options for risksto water quality identified in Step Three.

Step 4: Develop a Source Water Protection Management Plan 1

Step One: Form Committee

Step Two: Delineate Boundary

Step Five: Monitor Results and Evaluate Plan

Step Four: Management Plan

Set management goals and objectives

Identify management options for issuesidentified in Step Three

Develop Contingency Plan

Step Three: Assess Risks

Solicit input from stakeholders and thepublic

Draft the Management Plan

Update information

2 Step 4: Develop a Source Water Protection Management Plan

A source water protection plan is not a singlestrategy, but an approach to water resourceprotection. The goal of a management plan is to protect the source water supply area whileconsidering the social and economic factorsrelevant to that area.

By now you should have completed Steps 1, 2 and3. In Step One, the advisory committee is formed.In Step Two, the area to be managed is delineatedand marked on a map. Step Three helps toidentify sources of contamination, and demon-strates how to evaluate risks to source waterquality within the delineated protection area.

Step Four will focus on the development andimplementation of the management plan for thesource water supply area. Management plans willbe variable; however groundwater suppliesgenerally use a management method that employswellhead protection zones with managementcontrols that become more stringent the closer the lands are located to the actual wellhead (StepTwo). Surface water supplies tend to use a broaderrange of potential management options to protectwater quality. A management plan for a surfacewater supply is often based on controllingactivities that could harm the water.

Source Water Protection ManagementOptionsAcquisition of Land: Land acquisition givesdirect ownership and control of the source waterprotection area to the utility or municipality. This is a preferred option because of its obviousbenefits. The purchase of land may include alllands within the source water protection area, or may be confined only to land areas that play a critical role in protecting the water source.

Bylaws: Land-use planning through the use ofmunicipal planning strategies and zoning is a verypowerful tool to ensure that potential contaminantthreats or activities are sited away from the watersource. Developing bylaws is subject tomandatory public consultation requirements.

Best Management Practices (BMPs): Onceindividuals and industries understand they may bepart of the problem, they also understand they canbe part of the solution. BMPs are a good way tointroduce a change in the way businesses, industryand individuals treat the environment.

Review: Steps 1 to 3:A source water protection management plancannot be developed until Steps One to Threeare complete:• An Advisory Committee is formed• The source water protection area is

delineated and characterized • Sources of contamination are identified and

addressed• Source water issues that are currently being

addressed have been defined• Source water issues that will be addressed

in the new management plan have beendefined

• Source water issues that need to beaddressed in the long term have beendefined

• Resources and funding have beenthoroughly explored

Preventing drinking water contamination atthe source makes:• Good public health sense • Good economic sense• Good environmental sense

Contingency Planning: An emergency responseplan provides a blueprint for action in the event of a dangerous contamination occurrence withinthe source water protection area. All utilities ormunicipalities must have a contingency plan inplace for their source water protection areas.

Designation: Formal designation as a ProtectedWater Area under Section 106 of the Nova ScotiaEnvironment Act, is a mechanism for utilities ormunicipalities to develop regulations for activitiesthat have the potential to impair source waterquality. Regulations will apply to the source water protection area defined by the utility ormunicipality and advisory committee. Designationis subject to mandatory public consultationrequirements.

Education and Stewardship: Few people willmake changes without understanding whatchanges need to be made, why change is needed,how to make the change, and how the change will affect the individual. Educating people andcommunities on the importance of source waterprotection will help introduce a change inbehavior and begin a move toward environmentalstewardship. Educating the people who live andwork within source water protection areas createsa sense of ownership and shared responsibility forthe protection of the water resource.

Moving Forward from Step Three to Step Four To begin Step Four, the advisory committeeshould have completed (in Step Three): • A list of potential water quality contaminants• Identified sources of contamination• Knowledge about pathways of contaminationinto the water supply

• A ranking of priority water quality issues toaddress

Example: Tables like those outlined belowprovide important information that is critical tomaking management decisions in Step Four.

Prioritization of Risk

Ranking: 1 = high priority 5 = low priority


Contamination

Sediments

Bacteria

Nutrients

Hydrological flow

Oils, Grease, Metals

Priority Ranking

1

2

3

4

5

Contamination

Nutrients

Sediment

Bacteria

Hydrologic Flow

Oils, Grease andMetals

Sources

• Livestock in streams• Failing septic systems

• Livestock in streams• Road-stream crossings

• Livestock in streams• Failing septic systems

• Urban storm water

• Storm drains

Causes

• Uncontrolled access• Improper siting and maintenance

• Uncontrolled access• Undersized culverts• Human access

• Uncontrolled access• Improperly sited/maintained septic systems

• Paved surfaces, lack of infiltration areas

• Improper oil disposal, paved surfaces,parking lots

Now you are ready to examine managementoptions and begin to develop the managementplan. The management plan should be integratedwith existing programs and tailored to the needs of the community and the unique character of thesource water protection area. Ideally, multipleprograms and solutions will be developed as partof the management plan to provide flexibility inthe implementation of the final plan.

The next few pages of this booklet will examinethe management options in more detail.Management techniques recommended in StepFour are well established and are being usedacross North America and other parts of the worldas practical ways to protect drinking watersupplies. It is important to note that these optionsare only a partial list. Utilities and municipalitiesare free to develop new innovative or site-specificideas or options to manage risks to water quality.

Lessons from Walkerton

The tragedy that occurred in Walkerton, Ontarioresulted in many recommendations:

“Source water protection plans should be requiredfor all watersheds in Ontario”

Set Management Goals and Objectives

A management plan should begin with a statementof goals and objectives.

For example, the goal of the management planmay be “to protect source water for drinking”.Objectives would include statements that relate tothe mechanisms the committee will employ toachieve this goal. For example, one objective maybe “to reduce and prevent sources of non-pointpollution that are known to enter the source waterprotection area.”

What Should The Management Plan Achieve?A source water protection plan should present a complete picture of the source water supply area.As you assemble your plan, keep in mind that a person with limited knowledge of the sourcewater protection area should be able to read theplan and understand the needs and proposedsolutions for effectively managing land uses andactivities in the source water protection area.

The final product should be an action-orientedapproach for addressing water quality in thesource water protection area. The managementplan is not static and may change as implemen-tation proceeds. The utility or municipality shouldwork with the advisory committee to review themanagement plan periodically to ensure that tasksare being implemented and that the plan isupdated (see Step Five).

A well-written management plan describes howthe utility or municipality and community willwork together to implement the source waterprotection plan and meet the goals and objectivesfor protecting water quality.


Key Elements of a Management Plan • Clearly defined management objectives • Range of management options • Prioritization of management solutions • Description of rationale and uncertainties • Cost estimates and funding mechanisms • Schedule for implementation and

completion

Assembling the PlanThe management plan may use a variety ofoptions or strategies to address water qualityissues affecting the source water protection area.

The advisory committee needs to carefullyconsider and evaluate each of these options andothers that may be identified to determine themost appropriate ways to protect water quality.This is achieved by examining the benefits anddisadvantages of each management option. One of the roles of the advisory committee will be toconsider the effect of each management option.This is necessary to properly balance waterprotection with land uses and economic activitywithin the source water supply area.

Public InputPublic review or comments may be needed duringevaluation of specific management options. Thiswill help to inform the advisory committee aboutthe various effects and acceptability of themanagement options under consideration. Thefinal recommended management plan should alsoreceive input from the public, and address publicconcerns, before it is considered to be complete.

Identify Management Options

The ABCs of Source Water ManagementPlanning:

(A)CQUISITION OF LANDThe direct purchase and ownership of landcomprising the source water protection areaaffords one of the highest levels of water qualityprotection. This is because the utility/municipalitycan:a) control the use of the land in the supply area, b) provide close surveillance of the entire area,and

c) enforce rules and regulations to protect drinkingwater resources.

Land acquisition can take several forms: • Purchase of the entire source water protectionarea

• Acquisition of the most sensitive and criticalsites within the source water protection area

• Acquisition of property that may affect waterquality (waterfront lots, etc.)

• Acquisition of lands surrounding the watertreatment plant intakes

Utilities and municipalities may choose to workwith non-profit organizations to acquire land andeasements for riparian buffers to protect sourcewater supply areas, or develop a comprehensiveland acquisition program of their own. Given theexpansion of urban areas across the province,there is a narrowing window of opportunity totake advantage of opportunities to acquire privatelands within source water supply areas.


(B)YLAWSLand-use planning can be an excellent tool for theprotection of source water areas, and many waterquality benefits can be derived from a successfulland-use planning strategy.

A Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) allows amunicipality to develop land-use bylaws (LUB)that manage development. These bylaws can begeared toward the protection of drinking watersupplies. Existing planning strategies and bylawscan be amended to reflect changes designed toprotect source water, or in cases where noplanning strategy exists, a MPS and LUB can bedeveloped, specifically with water quality in mind.In either case, land-use planning techniques mustbe developed in conjunction with municipalplanners.

A variety of land-use planning techniques can beused to manage land use in source waterprotection areas. Some of these include:• Limit the number of lots• Provide separation from watercourses• Impose erosion and sediment controls duringconstruction

• Require vegetation for sediment and erosioncontrol

• Limit permitted uses• Require large lot sizes

The basic objective of involving land-use planningas a part of a source water protection plan is tomanage new development and protect sensitiveareas within the source water supply area.

More information regarding land-use planning in source water supply areas can be found in theService Nova Scotia and Municipal RelationsLocal Government Resource Handbook:Municipal Water Supply Watershed PlanningModel - Section 5.7. http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/muns/manuals/mga.stm .

The process for adopting or amending a municipalplanning strategy is subject to public consultation.

(B)EST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPs)

Best Management Practices: (Also known as“BMPs”) Common-sense actions to keep soil andother pollutants out of streams and lakes. BMPsare designed to protect water quality and toprevent pollution.

Best Management Practices for source waterprotection areas are those that are determined tobe the most effective and practical known meansof preventing or reducing the amount of pollution.The underlying philosophy is to conduct everydayactivities in an ecologically sound manner in orderto keep pollutants out of source water. This isgenerally cheaper and more practical thanremoving them later. All stakeholders can useBMPs to direct land use activities and protectwater quality.

BMPs have been developed for most industriesand sectors of the economy. Many can be used asguidelines for conducting business or everydayactivities in ways that protect to water. A bestmanagement practice can be found for almostevery activity that may occur within a givensource water protection area. The forestry andagriculture sectors have developed BMPs foractivities that can affect water quality, in additionto BMPs that have been developed for a widerange of large and small-scale commercialactivities. BMPs are also developed to reducesources of urban pollution like storm water runoff.

A source water protection plan that uses BMPs as the primary mechanism for protecting waterquality should work closely with stakeholderswithin the source water protection area toimplement the most appropriate BMPs.



In addition to BMPs published by the Nova Scotiagovernment, there are numerous other sources ofinformation on this subject. The United StatesEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) hasdeveloped a wide range of BMPs for industriesand activities within source water protection areas.Many of these can be applied to land-basedactivities in Nova Scotia. Managers of watersupplies can take advantage of the large body of existing material associated with BMPs anddrinking water, to encourage good managementpractices by stakeholders within a source waterprotection area. More information can be found at the following web link: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/sourcewater

Best Management Practices (BMPs) currentlyexist for many kinds of activities that could harmwater quality:

Residential/Homeowners1. On-site Sewage Disposal (Septic Systems) 2. A Homeowners Guide to Oil Tank Safety3. Home Garden Pest Control4. Composting Yard Trimmings and Leaves(Waste Reduction Fact Sheet)

5. Sustainable Gardening6. Pollution Prevention: At Home, at Work, and in Business

7. Preserving Shorelines

• http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water/• http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/pests/athome.asp• http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/pollutionprevention/docs/P2HomeWorkBiz.pdf

• http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/pubs• http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/components/DD6946a.html

Commercial Activities1. Pollution Prevention Guide for Printers inAtlantic Canada

2. Pollution Prevention for Businesses3. Developing Environmental Policy4. Pollution Prevention: A Discussion Paper5. Composting Facility Guidelines

• http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/pollutionprevention• http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/waste/docs/Composting_Facility_Guidelines.pdf

• http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/pubs/• http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/urbanmm/index.html

Forestry1. Constructing Forest Access Roads2. The Forest Professional - Guidelines for theStewards of Tomorrow's Forests (2nd Ed.)

• http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/publications/forpubs.htm

• http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/pubs/• http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/forestrymgmt/• http://www.chesapeakebay.net/pubs/subcommittee/nsc/forest/sect06.pdf

Agriculture1. Manure Management Guidelines 2. Stream Bank Protection Brochure 3. Stream Crossings Guidelines5. Milkhouse Wastes Guidelines6. Environmental Farm Plan Program7. Soil Conservation Program8. Recommended Agricultural Practices withinMunicipal Drinking Water Supplies in Nova Scotia

• http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/• http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/rs/envman/env_handbk.pdf

• http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/rs/envman/manureguide_2006lowres.pdf

• http://www.nsfa-fane.ca/waterresources• http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/• http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/agmm/index.html• http://www.usawaterquality.org/newengland/focus_areas/ne_npm/default.html

Recreation1. Waterfront Recreation BMPs2. Boating Stewardship

• http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/mmsp/index.html

• http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/components/DD6946e.html

Developers/Construction1. Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook for Construction Sites

2. Construction & Demolition Debris DisposalSite Guidelines

• http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/pubs/• http://www.mrsc.org/Subjects/environment/water/sw-bmp.aspx?r=1

(C)ONTINGENCY PLANS

The goal of a contingency plan is theimmediate and long-term protection of thesource water supply area.

A contingency plan will identify personnel, testingequipment, procedures, and materials which canbe used for the rapid correction or mitigation ofenvironmental accidents which might constitute a water supply emergency. A contingency plan should also include response protocols,notification procedures and methods ofcontainment. Accidents which might directlyaffect the source water protection area also need tobe addressed with methods for isolating portionsof the water supply and/or providing water froman alternative source.

A water supply emergency may range in severityfrom a power outage to the effects of a widespreadnatural disaster. For the purposes of source waterprotection, the most probable threat requiring anemergency response will be from a hazardoussubstance spill within the source water supplyarea. Such a spill may occur at a fixed locationinvolving the handling or storage of chemicals. It could result from a transportation accident. No matter what the cause, once it is contaminatedyour source water supply may never berecoverable. A contingency plan is critical.

Water Supply InformationEmergency responders may or may not know a lotabout the source water supply area. Thecontingency plan needs to make sure there areways of telling them the:• location and capacity of all surface watersources/wells and storage tanks

• location and size of all major distribution lines(Distribution Map)

• critical locations of isolating valves for thedistribution system

• options available for providing an alternativewater supply

• location and capacity of water treatmentfacilities

Alternative Water Supply OptionsYour contingency plan should consider how toprovide water from an alternate source. If a watersupply emergency occurs, system operators needto be able to quickly provide uncontaminatedwater to any portion of the distribution system.

Generally, there are five means of managing a water supply. Contingency planners shouldconsider:

1. Reducing water use:Where additionalcapacity is not available, restricting water use maybe a viable alternative. Applying this approachrequires effective communications with waterusers to obtain a reduction in water use.


2. Supplying water from within the system:Analternative water source may be available withinthe system through isolation of the affected areaand providing water from wells and/or portions of the distribution system unaffected by the watersupply emergency. This option requires a thoroughunderstanding of the distribution system dynamicsand prior development of additional capacitygenerally at a different location.

3. Providing bottled water: Can be an option forsome customers affected by a drinking wateremergency.

4. Supplying water from outside the system:This is generally accomplished by connection toan adjacent drinking water supply.

5. Treat affected source water:A method may bemade available to provide treatment to the affectedsource water by removing contaminants to anacceptable level.

Contents of the Contingency PlanA contingency plan is required as part of a utility’soperations program. The contingency plan shouldinclude as a minimum:• General procedures for routine emergencies ormajor emergencies within a water supply area

• A procedure for equipment becominginoperable in a major emergency and/or due topower failure

• A procedure for dealing with spills or releases• A boil water advisory procedure*.• Facility-specific information on the hazardousmaterial stored or transported in the sourcewater area.

• Provision for annual review and update by theutility.

* A utility must ensure that drinking water meetsthe bacteriological requirements set out in the“Guidelines for Monitoring Public DrinkingWater Supplies” published by NSE andavailable on line at: http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water/docs/Guidelines_for_Monitoring_Public_Drinking_Water_Supplies.pdf . These guidelinesoutline procedures for reporting and correctingdeficiencies in quality due to microbiologicalcontamination of drinking water.

(D) ESIGNATIONSection 106 of the Environment Act allows theMinister of Environment to designate an areasurrounding a drinking water source as a ProtectedWater Area (PWA), provided certain requirementsare met. The Environment Act specifies thatdesignation will be put into place only when aformal request is received from the municipalityor water works operator, and sufficient publicconsultation has occurred.

Designation involves developing regulations thatare specific to the PWA. Regulations controlactivities that are known to harm water quality in the source water protection area. A completedesignation consists of a description of area to beprotected and the regulations required to control orprohibit activities or development that may harmwater quality in the designated area. Thedevelopment of regulations is based on consensusamong committee members, and involves opencommunication among the committee, the utilityor municipality, stakeholders, and the localcommunity.


The following outlines the designationrequirements contained in Section 106,Environment Act, chapter 1, S.N.S, 1994-95.

Designation of protected water area106 (1) The Minister, when requested by anoperator of a water works or proposed waterworks, may designate an area surrounding anysource or future source of water supply for a waterworks as a protected water area.

Notice of designation(2) The operator of a water works or proposedwater works named in a designation madepursuant to subsection (1) shall

(a) give notice of the designation of the area as a protected water area by publishing the notice in

a newspaper having circulation in the county orcounties in which the area is located and in theRoyal Gazette;

(b) have the notice of designation recorded at theregistry of deeds and the land registration office inthe county or counties in which the area is located;and

(c) post signs in the area indicating that it has beendesignated a protected water area.

Responsibility of operator(3) The operator of a water works or proposedwater works is responsible for taking all measuresto protect the area designated, and theenforcement of any regulations made pursuant tosubsection (6).


Designation ChecklistHere’s a summary of how to designate a Protected Water Supply area under the Environment Act:

� Form an advisory committee consisting of landowners and other stakeholders affected by thedesignation process (Step One).

� Gather information on the source water supply area. This information should include: the watershedboundary, variety and pattern of land uses, land ownership patterns, sources of contamination andother information that will assist in decisions regarding the development of regulations for theproposed designation (Steps Two, Three, and Four).

� The utility or municipality in conjunction with the advisory committee identifies issues and concerns;then develops a draft management plan for the proposed Protect Water Area, including publicinformation materials. The advisory committee helps ensure appropriate public consultations.

� Send the description of the Protected Water Area, proposed regulations and a summary of the publicconsultation to NSE for review and comment.

� Formal designation as a Protected Water Area by the Minister occurs after:a) the regulations are found to be acceptable to the water utility or municipality, the advisory

committee and NSE;b) there has been sufficient public consultation, andc) the documents are reviewed by a NSE solicitor representing the Province.

� Designation takes effect when filed with the Provincial Registrar of Regulations and published in theRoyal Gazette.

� The utility or municipality should also have notice of the designation recorded at the Registry ofDeeds, and published in local newspapers.

� The water utility or municipality is responsible for posting signs to clearly identify the boundary of theProtected Water Area and indicate that regulations are in effect for the designated drinking watersupply.

Cancellation(4) When requested by an operator of a waterworks or proposed water works, the Minister maycancel a designation made pursuant to thisSection, in whole or in part.

Designation continues(5) Any protected water area designated pursuantto the Water Act, prior to the coming into force ofthis Act remains so designated.

Regulations(6) At the request of the operator of the waterworks or proposed water works, the Minister maymake regulations to prohibit, regulate or requirethe doing of any act or acts in a protected waterarea that may impair or prevent the impairment, as the case may be, of the quality of the water inthe protected water area.

Public consultation(7) Before designating a protected water area, theMinister shall ensure that the operator of the waterworks or proposed water works has providedopportunities for public consultation.

Claim for injurious affection prohibited(8) No claim for injurious affection lies againstany person as the result of a designation of aprotected water area.

Once the designation is completed, the utility or municipality is responsible for administeringthe regulations within the PWA.

(E)ducation and StewardshipSource water protection can also be achievedthrough an education and stewardship programdeveloped and promoted by the utility ormunicipality.

Management plans based on education andstewardship promote ideas and information relatedto source water, water quality, water pollutionissues, and strategies to protect water resources.They promote cooperative relationships betweenstakeholders and the broader community. They arebased on the mutual benefits to the communityand the water supply. It requires strong publicsupport.

In order to make a management plan based oneducation and stewardship effective, the utility or municipality should begin consulting with thecommunity right from the start. This builds trust,support and understanding for the plan. If itproceeds too far before the public is informed,there may be problems with rumours and thespreading of misinformation.

There are many ways for utilities or municipalitiesto promote a stewardship approach to source waterprotection in their community. Submittinginformation to community newspapers at the startof the campaign, for example, will help spreadinformation.

However, it's important that key communitypeople and stakeholders are well informed prior to any development of the management approach.Whenever possible, provide a contact name andinformation about any upcoming activities relatedto stewardship programs being promoted. Peopleare often motivated to ask questions or provideinput after they learn about the proposed planthrough fact sheets, brochures, community papersand other sources of local information.

A source water protection plan that uses aneducation and stewardship approach will greatlybenefit from partnerships with local environmentalorganizations and other Non-GovernmentOrganizations (NGOs) at the community level.Organizations dedicated to clean river projects,adopt-a-river, and other types of water-relatedstewardship programs, can provide an establishednetwork for promoting source water protection.Watershed clubs are also becoming more commonacross Nova Scotia, and local watershed clubs canbe a valuable source of support for source watermanagement plans that promote education andstewardship.


Solicit Input

Building supportKnowing your community is critical to buildingsupport for successful source water protectionplans. One of the first steps in building grass rootssupport is to identify the individuals andorganizations in the community who will beaffected by the source water protection plan.Inviting the public to express its views andconcerns about the plan can help to enhancecommunity support and ultimately the success ofthe project. If the community doesn't support yoursource water protection plan as proposed, standback and try to be objective.

• Have you provided enough information?

• Has the advisory committee used the commentsit sought?

It is important to take advice from the community,and then let people know where their input hasmade a difference. This will empower thecommunity to help set priorities, define issues andfind solutions.

Informing the publicOpen houses offer a way to spread informationand educate the public about the importance ofsource water protection. An open house allows thepublic to learn more about water quality issuesand management approaches to reducing impactsto water quality. An open house provides anopportunity for people to briefly express theirconcerns or support. It is important to ensureopportunities to provide written or oral input forpeople unable to attend. Ideally an open house isheld at a local community hall where people cancome and go at their leisure during designatedhours.

Provide take-home materials to reinforce the waterutility’s message. If displays are being used toprovide information, knowledgeable peopleshould always staff them. Open houses can beused successfully at various stages of the project.

Semi-permanent displays at libraries or otherpublic gathering places may also help educate thepublic about water quality issues that affect themat the community level, as well as introduce theconcept of environmental stewardship. It is best touse the same materials as those displayed at openhouses or create similar displays using moredurable materials, so that messages and ideas arereinforced. Posting information about the waterutility and the services it provides on an Internetsite can give additional community support as wellas wider coverage.

Consider whether public forums may be a usefulway to educate the public, especially once thecommunity is aware a source water managementplan is being developed. A public forum allows formeaningful, in-depth dialogue and givesparticipants the opportunity to voice concernsabout the project and provide input regardingalternatives. Water utilities may want to considerhaving a professional facilitator chair the forumand design a process for clarifying issues andexploring stewardship options.

A printed fact sheet outlining the managementplan as proposed, including public benefits, is alsoa good way to convey information. It is best tomake the fact sheet short and easy to read. Factsheets can be distributed to the public via the mail,household drop-offs, grocery bag-stuffers,newspaper inserts or other appropriate methods.Encourage comments, questions and suggestions.


Draft the Management Plan

Management plans are specific to each individualsource water supply area because they are basedon the type of water supply and also on the land-use activities that surround the area. However, theelements that comprise the management plan arethe same for all source water protection plans andinclude:

1. Introduction• Delineation of the area for protection• Background to conditions in the source waterarea

• The need for management• The process of management plan preparation• Terms of reference for the advisory committee• Time frames

2. Water Quality Issues• Activities within the source water supply area• Potential sources of contamination• Pathways of contamination• Prioritization of issues based on risk • Summary of issues

3. Goal and Objectives • A statement of what the plan is meant toachieve

• Management practices that have been evaluatedfor effectiveness, cost, maintenance, useful life,adverse effects and public acceptability

4. Management Recommendations• Options to address issues• Proposed integration of management options• Contingency plans• Items for immediate action

5. Implementation• Policies, action steps and guidelines on how thewatershed management plan will beimplemented.

• A schedule outlining time lines forimplementation with details regarding resourcesneeded, and the contact persons or agencies.

• A program to solicit public awareness andinterest in water protection.

• Strategy for evaluating and updating themanagement plan.

The management plan should be reviewedregularly in order to assess the effects of activitieswithin the source water protection area theireffects on water quality and to assess whetherchanges are needed. The keys to success arecommunication and willingness to modify the planwhen new information is available.

Final Product

The final management plan should include:• A statement of the management objective(s)• List of risks to water quality to be addressed inthe plan

• List of evaluated management methods to beemployed to protect water

• An implementation strategy for eachmanagement option with time frames

• Contingency plan for emergencies to sourcewater

• Strategy for evaluation and updating of themanagement plan


For More Information

Nova Scotia Environment can provide input intothe development of management practices andwill review the final source water protection plan.

Nova Scotia Environment Water and Wastewater Branch5151 Terminal RoadPO Box 442Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2P8

Phone (902) 424-3600 Fax (902) 424-0503Web address: www.gov.ns.ca/nse/

Service Nova Scotia & Municipal RelationsMunicipal Services DivisionPlanning & Advisory Services SectionP.O. Box 216Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2M4

Phone (902) 424-3872 Fax (902) 424-0821Web address: www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/


Environment

Documents

Water Step 4 - Nova Scotia · 2009. 5. 27. · Title: Water Step 4 Created Date: 2/2/2009 10:07:51 AM