Nova Scotia First Province to Offer Septic Course

Nova Scotia continues to be a leader in protecting the environment, becoming the first province in Canada to offer a mandatory training course for septic professionals.

"Septic professionals in Nova Scotia have an important role to play in helping to protect our environment," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour. "This course will help them gain valuable knowledge about our regulations and how they help preserve and manage our water resources."

Septic professionals who take the course will learn about safety procedures for handling and transporting liquid waste, equipment use, emergency-spill response and measures that will improve public and environmental health.

"We understand our role in environmental protection and we take our responsibilities seriously," said Darrell MacKenzie, owner MacKenzie's Septic Tank Services in Pictou County. "Our industry is looking forward to enhancing our skills and knowledge, while promoting the quality of our services."

Government required all septic tank professionals to be certified in April 2007 when the On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems Regulations took effect. They must take this training course within their the first year of certification.

About 160 people will take courses from March 10-14 in Sydney, Truro, Halifax, Bridgewater and Yarmouth.

For more information on Nova Scotia's On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems Regulations, visit the department's website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla .