Online Interactive Map for Viewing the Relative Risk of Arsenic in Bedrock Water Wells

This application was developed to show areas of Nova Scotia where there is a relative high-, medium- or low-risk of arsenic in bedrock water wells.

Arsenic is naturally occurring in Nova Scotia groundwater and exposure to arsenic in well water is associated with a range of adverse health effects. The risk map was developed to communicate the relative risk of arsenic in bedrock water wells based on the analysis published in the open file report 'An Arsenic in Well Water Risk Map for Nova Scotia based on Observed Patterns of Well Water Concentrations of Arsenic in Bedrock Aquifers'.

The high-risk zone is defined as bedrock units where more than 15% of well water samples exceed the arsenic drinking water guideline of 10 µg/L. In the medium-risk zone, between 5% and 15% of well water samples exceed the guideline and in the low-risk areas less than 5% of well water samples exceed the guideline.

The past 40 years of government activities related to the issue of arsenic in well water is documented in the open file report 'A Review of Activities Related to the Occurrence of Arsenic in Nova Scotia Well Water'.

Testing your well is the only way to find out whether arsenic is a concern in your well so it is important to test your water no matter where you live. Recommendations for well owners for the testing and treatment of arsenic can be found here.

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Staff Contact – Gavin Kennedy