Statistics Canada, in partnership with Infrastructure Canada, released 2018 data on Canada’s potable water, storm water and wastewater infrastructure. Today’s release provides information on the stock, condition, performance, and asset management strategies.

In 2018, Nova Scotia had 1,915 water, storm water and wastewater facilities linked to 13,938 kilometres of potable water and sewer pipes, force mains, open ditches, and culverts. This compares to 1,310 water, storm water and wastewater facilities and 12,059 kilometres of linear assets reported for 2016.

Across Canada, there were a total of over 56,000 water infrastructure facilities and 816,000 kilometres of linear assets in 2018. This compares to about 39,000 water, storm water and wastewater facilities and 761,000 kilometres of linear assets reported for 2016.

In 2018, Nova Scotia has 338 publicly owned potable water facilities, 97 stormwater facilities and 1,480 wastewater facilities. Compared to 2016, there was an increase in the number of all types of water infrastructure assets in Nova Scotia.

Looking at the geographical distribution of water infrastructure facilities, around 42% of Nova Scotia’s total assets were in urban municipalities in 2018. Rural municipalities housed 58% of Nova Scotia’s total water infrastructure assets in 2018.

47% of Nova Scotia’s water infrastructure assets were built between 1970 and 1999 while 22% were completed between 2000 and 2009. In addition, 15% of the assets were built over the period 2010 to 2018.

Source: Statistics Canada. Table 34-10-0192-01 Inventory of publicly owned potable water assets, Infrastructure Canada; Table 34-10-0210-01 Inventory of publicly owned stormwater assets, Infrastructure Canada; Table 34-10-0226-01 Inventory distribution of publicly owned wastewater assets by physical condition rating, Infrastructure Canada