NOVA SCOTIA: A DECADE OF WATER RESOURCE WORK

Nova Scotia can report many achievements in management of its water resources during the past decade. Even though vexing problems such as the "tar ponds" and HRM sewage solutions remain, the province is steadily moving forward in water resource management. Two examples of significant projects that were achieved during the past decade are briefly described following:

1. Combining wildlife habitat with water treatment.,

1994 River Hebert Marsh - This marsh was constructed to demonstrate an innovative and cost-effective way to provide tertiary treatment for effluent discharged from the River Hebert sewage lagoons. Ducks Unlimited constructed the wetland in cooperation with NS Natural Resources Canadian Wildlife Service, Cumberland County, River Hebert-Joggins and Area Development Association, and Canada/Nova Scotia Cooperation Agreement on Sustainable Economic Development. The constructed wetland was designed to accept the output from the existing sewage lagoon. Similar constructed wetlands are found in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and the U.S., but this waste water treatment method had never before been tested in Atlantic Canada's unique climate and ecosystems.

This system is a relatively inexpensive, environmentally sustainable method of tertiary sewage treatment. Effluent flows into one of two wetlands constructed adjacent to the sewage lagoons. One wetland is engineered with serpentine channels while for comparison purposes the other is open and contains no channels.

2. Taming erosion and sediment control problems:

The Sackville River is a typical example of this problem. Fifty years ago, salmon and other migrating fish were abundant. Now after decades of rapid development, the river tends to fill with chocolate-brown water after a rainfall. Salmon, trout, gasperaux and eel exist, but in far smaller quantities.

Developers know they must provide erosion and sediment controls, but there is limited information on planning, designing and constructing this work for maximum environmental benefit at minimum cost. Often the best way to control erosion is to prevent its occurrence through innovative development design. The Centre for Water and Resources Studies (Halifax) was given a lead role in the transfer of the required knowledge to designers, developers, contractors and regulators in Nova Scotia.

CWRS also produced a video on "Culvert Installation and the Environment", and hosted seminars in Halifax, where participants were introduced to regulations, planning and design approaches as well as other site control methods. In 1994, CWRS led a demonstration project on environmentally cost-effective erosion and sediment control at a 200-lot subdivision in Lower Sackville, and then produced a manual on preparation of erosion and sediment control plans.

The benefits? More environmentally cost-effective development to protect the province's streams and lakes from the effects of erosion and siltation.

The above stories are merely two of many interesting examples of forward-looking environmental action projects. Nova Scotia's province-wide strategy for solid waste management is also recognized for its potential benefit in better water resource management. It is now well under wqy, and in due course will have its own stories to tell.

With thanks to John Theakston, P. Eng. here is today's report card on water resources in Nova Scotia

Atlantic Planners Institute

This page and all contents are produced by the Atlantic Planners Institute, an affiliate of the Canadian Institute of Planners.

This document was last modified on November 15, 2000.