News release

Government Addressing Water Quality Concerns

Environment (April 2008 - Feb. 2021)

NOTE TO EDITORS: Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau and Agriculture Minister John MacDonell, and technical staff from the Department of Environment, will be available for media interviews today, Oct. 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the fifth floor, 5151 Terminal Rd., Halifax. Phone interviews can be arranged in advance.


Land inspections, more water quality testing and new regulations are some of the actions government is taking to address water quality in the Carleton River Watershed.

The Department of Environment released a report today, Oct. 6, outlining the state of 10 lakes within the Carleton River watershed in Yarmouth and Digby counties.

"In the interest of making life better for people who live in these areas, government is committed to doing what it can to improve the health of these lakes," said Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau. "This is a long-standing concern and it will take time and co-operation with industry and communities to see results."

Residents have expressed concern with persistent blue green algae blooms in several lakes along the watershed. Blue green algae is naturally occurring but excess nutrients in the water, such as phosphorus, makes it worse. The nutrients can come from poor waste-management practices, fertilizers and faulty septic systems.

The Department of Environment began a water-quality sampling program in 2008 to better understand the health of selected lakes in this watershed, which includes nearly 100 lakes and rivers.

The report, available at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/surface.water/ , includes analysis of September and October 2009 samples taken from more than 50 sites in 10 lakes. The 2008 report, released last year, is also available on the website.

The 2009 report said nutrients are increasing overall and water quality has been deteriorating since the mid-1980s. Six of the 10 lakes: Nowlans; Placides; Hourglass; Parr; Ogden; and Fanning had the poorest water quality. Provost, Porcupine and Vaughan lakes showed moderate levels and Sloans Lake had near pristine water quality.

This year, the department began auditing potential nutrient sources. Mink farms were recognized as nutrient sources, so the departments of Environment and Agriculture partnered to conduct land inspections at eight mink farms, identified based on risk factors such as size and how close they are to water.

Seven deficiencies were found on five of the eight farms inspected, including three requiring immediate action. All seven deficiencies have been addressed. Environment inspectors spoke with farmers about the best ways to manage waste and protect water sources.

In May, Environment Canada also conducted 10 inspections of area mink farms and collected samples, which were shown not to be harmful to fish. As a result, no enforcement actions were taken under the federal Fisheries Act. Environment Canada will continue to share information and sample results.

"With good farm practices and solid regulations, I believe the fur industry can be successful while being good stewards of the environment," said Agriculture Minister John MacDonell. "Government brought in legislation for the fur industry last spring. The regulations we are drafting will make sure the mink industry better manages its waste in an environmentally sustainable manner."

The Department of Environment will continue to conduct water-quality tests in the Carleton River Watershed area and visit more mink farms and other sites that may be contributing excess nutrients to the lakes and rivers.

Residents can reduce health risks by avoiding contact with water where there is an algae bloom as well as not drinking, swimming, bathing, or brushing teeth with the water. People should avoid eating the internal organs of fish caught where blue green algae blooms occur.

A fact sheet on blue green algae is available at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/surface.water/ .