Unions of Nova Scotia Municipalities

Nova Scotia Municipal Water Ranks Second Highest for Quality and Safety

A new report on drinking water management practices across Canada has ranked Nova Scotia second-best in the country.

The province received an “A Minus” on the report card, released Tuesday by Ecojustice, a national charitable organization devoted to protecting Canada’s environment.

Nova Scotia was second only to Ontario, which received an “A”.

The report, entitled “Waterproof 3”, is the third produced by Ecojustice. The report originated in response to poorly monitored drinking water in Walkerton, Ontario which caused an outbreak of waterborne illness in 2000 that killed seven and left 2500 ill.

While many provinces saw improvements in their grades since the previous report released in 2006, most areas saw their grades slip or remain static.

Randy Christensen, the study’s author, said “There is a danger that the lessons of Walkerton are being forgotten. Between 2001 and 2006, we saw rapid and dramatic improvements. In the period between 2006 and 2011, that progress has slowed to what I would call an incremental and moderate pace. To see a slowing in momentum is very concerning."

The tragedy in Walkerton prompted one of the most extensive inquiries in Canadian history. Of the recommendations to come out of the Walkerton inquiry, the first and strongest was that Ontario implement plans to protect all watersheds.

Nova Scotia, which saw an improvement from its “B” ranking in 2006, was praised in the report for its ongoing protection of water sources and its strong testing and treatment standards.

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