- Environment and Labour Publications (2001 - 2008)
Business Plans and Strategy Documents
- November 2012 - Provincial Update on the AG Recommendations Report - Environment
(PDF:175k) - June 2012 - Provincial Update on the AG Recommendations Report - Environment (PDF:186k)
- November 2011 - Provincial Update on the AG Recommendations Report - Environment (PDF:115k)
Auditor General Recommendations
Statement of Mandate
- 2015-2016 Statement of Mandate (PDF:809k)
- 2014-2015 Statement of Mandate (PDF:725k)
- 2013-2014 Statement of Mandate (PDF:959k)
- 2012-2013 Statement of Mandate (PDF:1.4mb)
- 2011-2012 Statement of Mandate (PDF:73k)
- 2010-2011 Statement of Mandate (PDF:76k)
Accountability Reports
- Fiscal Year 2014-2015 (PDF:940k)
- Fiscal Year 2013-2014 (PDF:631k)
- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 (PDF:12.7mb)
- Fiscal Year 2011-2012 (PDF:12.8mb)
- Fiscal Year 2010-2011 (PDF:387k)
- Fiscal Year 2009-2010 (PDF:168k)
- Fiscal Year 2008-2009 (PDF:122k)
Business Plans
Policies
French Language Services
- Plan for 2022-2023
- Plan for 2021-2022 (PDF:232k)
- Plan for 2020-2021 (PDF:282k)
- Plan for 2019-2020 (PDF:1.1mb)
- Plan for 2018-2019 (PDF:275k)
- Plan for 2017-2018 (PDF:516k)
- Plan for 2016-2017 (PDF:190k)
- Workplan for 2012-2013 (PDF:151k)
- Workplan for 2011-2012 (PDF:41k)
- Workplan for 2010-2011 (PDF:46k)
- Workplan for 2008-2009 (PDF:49k)
Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act
- Annual Progress Report 2015 (PDF:2.6mb)
- Annual Progress Report 2014 (PDF:395k)
- Annual Progress Report 2012 (PDF:2.3mb)
- Annual Progress Report 2011 (PDF:2.5mb)
- Annual Progress Report 2010 (PDF:1.4mb)
- Annual Progress Report 2009 (PDF:1.2mb)
- Annual Progress Report 2008 (PDF:4.3mb)
Databases
The department currently offers access to the following database(s):
Emergency Related Fact Sheets
- Cleaning up Sewage from your Basement: English (PDF:164k) | Français (PDF:204Ko)
- Drinking Water: English (PDF:205k) | Français (PDF:255Ko)
- Swimming After a Storm: English (PDF:141k) | Français (PDF:167Ko)
- Using Well Water After a Flood: English (PDF:131k) | Français (PDF:137Ko)
- Using Well Water after a Wildfire: English (PDF:141k) | Français (PDF:146Ko)
- Mitigating Risk to Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks (PDF:2.5mb)
- Mitigating Risk to Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks (PDF:3.2mb)
- Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office
Air
- Nova Scotia Air Zone Report
- Air Quality Regulations
- The Air We Breathe (PDF:4.1mb) - Nova Scotia's Air Quality Report, 2000-2007
- Anti-idling Fact Sheet (PDF:46k)
- Nova Scotia Air Monitoring Stations - Map (PDF:1.3mb)
- Trans-Boundary Air Pollution Event - 2004 (PDF:1.9mb)
Climate Change
Please visit the Climate Change website for a complete list of related publications.
Land
Contaminated Sites
Environmental Assessments
Guides
- Guide to Considering Climate Change in Project Development in Nova Scotia (PDF:7mb) - February 2011
- Guide to Considering Climate Change in Environmental Assessments in Nova Scotia (PDF:4.5mb) - February 2011
- The Role of Proponents in Crown Consultation with the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia
- Proponent's Guide to Environmental Assessment (PDF:455k)
- Guide to Preparing an EA Registration Document for Wind Power Projects in Nova Scotia (PDF:494k)
- A Citizen’s Guide to Environmental Assessment (PDF:487k)
- Guide to Addressing Wildlife Species and Habitat in an EA Registration Document (PDF:119k)
- Guide to Preparing an EA Registration Document for Mining Developments in Nova Scotia (PDF:205k)
- Guide to Preparing an EA Registration Document for Pit and Quarry Developments in Nova Scotia (PDF:236k)
- Guide for Surface Coal Mine Reclamation Plans (PDF:174k)
- Guide to the Environment Act (currently under review)
Information Bulletins
- Requirements for Submitting Electronic Copies of Environmental Assessment Documents (PDF:226k)
- Developments That Require Environmental Assessment (PDF:210k)
- Regulatory Time Frames for Environmental Assessment (PDF:177k)
- Fee Schedule For Environmental Assessment (PDF:107k)
Studies / Plans
Pests and Pesticides
- Bed Bug
- Lawn Weed (PDF:302k)
- Carpenter Ant (PDF:1.1mb)
- Chinch Bug (PDF:205k)
- Common Diseases of Roses (PDF:22k)
- Earwig (PDF:37k)
- Eastern Tent Caterpillar (PDF:245k)
- Flea (PDF:25k)
- Garden Aphid (PDF:27k)
- Mice & Rats: ! File not found
- Pests and Pesticides in Nova Scotia (PDF:73k)
- Pesticide Applications Approvals
- Pesticide Safety at Home (PDF:81k)
- Pesticide Safety in the Garden (PDF:33k)
- Powdery Mildew of Lilac, Phlox and Other Ornamentals (PDF:16k)
- Preventing Pests in the Home Garden (PDF:21k)
- Wasp (Yellowjacket) (PDF:36k)
- Understanding the Pesticide Label (PDF:70k)
- What Farm Operators Should Know About West Nile Virus (PDF:24k)
- What Tire Pile Owners Should Know About West Nile Virus (PDF:24k)
- White Grub (PDF:196k)
Petroleum Storage
- Petroleum Inventory Control Guide (PDF:244k)
- Daily Inventory Worksheet Underground Tanks (PDF:272k)
- Monthly Inventory Record Underground Tanks (PDF:466k)
- Weekly Inventory Worksheet Aboveground Tanks (PDF:257k)
- Monthly Inventory Record Aboveground Tanks (PDF:165k)
- NS Standards for Construction and Installation for Petroleum Storage Tank Systems 2021 (PDF:759k)
- Nova Scotia Standards for Construction and Installation for Petroleum Storage Tank Systems 1997 (PDF:288k)
Pollution Prevention
- Boat Builders Survey Report 2004 (PDF:162k)
- Business Environmental Checklist (PDF:31k)
- Developing an Environmental Policy (PDF:28k)
- Environmental Management Systems and ISO 14000 - An Overview (PDF:29k)
- Green Office Checklist (PDF:68k)
- Mercury in Health Care Checklist (PDF:39k)
- Mercury In Hospitals Factsheet (PDF:374k)
- P2 at Home, at Work and in Business (PDF:107k)
- Pollution Prevention Guide for Printers in Atlantic Canada (PDF:15.8mb)
- Pollution Prevention Workbook for Business (PDF:4.9mb)
Reducin' Pollution - An Environmental Health and Safety Guide for the Fibreglass Industry
- Volume 1 - Guidebook (PDF:1mb)
- Volume 2 - Workbook (PDF:694k)
- Pollution Prevention Discussion Paper (PDF:547k)
Protected Areas
- A Second Location for the Rare Boreal Felt Lichen in Nova Scotia (PDF:41k)
- Guide to Campsite Leases and Licences in Protected Wilderness Areas (PDF:417k)
- Guide to Conducting Research in Wilderness Areas & Nature Reserves (PDF:496k)
- Guided Outings - 2010/11 Events (PDF:456k)
- Keep It Wild - A Guide For Low Impact Recreation In Nova Scotia's Wilderness Areas (PDF:4mb)
- Keep It Wild - Wilderness Area Standards (PDF:749k)
- Lichen Indicators of Ecosystem Health in Nova Scotia's Protected Areas (PDF:53k)
- Natural Landscapes: Report (PDF:11.4mb), Map (PDF:2.2mb), List (PDF:212k)
- Nature Reserves of Nova Scotia (PDF:664k)
- Occurrence and Abundance of Epiphytic Cyanolichens in Protected Areas of Nova Scotia, Canada (PDF:181k)
- Order on Camping and Lighting of Fires (PDF:9k)
- Protecting Private Land (PDF:3.7mb)
- Protecting Wilderness: A Summary of the Wilderness Areas Protection Act (PDF:1.9mb)
- Provincial Protected Areas Maps: Colour (PDF:936k)
- Technical Notes: Floristic Survey of Canso Coastal Barrens Wilderness Area (PDF:1.2mb)
- Technical Notes: Research Topics in Protected Areas (PDF:1.9mb)
- Technical Notes: Wallace Lake Fire Report (PDF:3.4mb)
Recycling and Waste
- Inter-departmental Committee on Used Tire Management (PDF:88k)
- An Assessment of the Use of Tires as Alternative Fuel (PDF:4.1mb)
- Advisory Committee Report on Used-Tire Management (PDF:1.2mb)
- Policy on Review of Electronic Stewardship Plans (PDF:69k)
- Electronic Waste - Background (PDF:14k)
- Newsprint (PDF:11k)
- Sharps (residential syringes) (PDF:14k)
- Proposed Amendments - Solid Waste-Resource Regulations (PDF:21k)
Guidelines
- Composting Facility Guidelines (PDF:66k)
- Construction and Demolition Debris Disposal Site Guidelines (PDF:119k)
- Grease Trap Waste Guidelines (PDF:77k)
- Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Guidelines (PDF:303k)
- Siting and Operation of Waste Transfer Stations Guidelines (PDF:273k)
Reports
- Our Path Forward (PDF:315k) - Building on the Success of Nova Scotia’s Solid Waste Resource Management Strategy
- Solid Waste-Resource: 2004 Report (PDF:561k)
- Solid Waste-Resource: 2003 Report (PDF:220k)
- Solid Waste-Resource: 2001 Report (PDF:91k)
- Solid Waste-Resource: 2000 Interim Report (PDF:99k)
- 1995 Solid Waste Resource Management Strategy - Final Report (PDF:962k)
Agreements
- Dairy Stewardship Agreement (PDF:16k)
- Telephone Directory Stewardship Agreement (PDF:111k)
Water
- Atlantic Canada Guidelines for Drinking Water Supply Systems (PDF:1.5mb)
- A Drinking Water Strategy for Nova Scotia (PDF:1.2mb)
- A Drinking Water Strategy for Nova Scotia - Final Report (PDF:399k)
- Become a Water Steward in Your Community (PDF:131k)
- Boil Water Fact Sheet (PDF:50k)
- Before You Construct a Water Well (PDF:656k)
(Note: The drinking water guideline for arsenic, on page 24, has been changed to 0.010 mg/L effective May 2006) - Designated Protected Water Areas in Nova Scotia (PDF:442k)
- Designation of a Protected Water Area (PDF:859k)
- Erosion and Sedimentation Control : Handbook for Construction Sites (PDF:4.3mb)
- Facility Classification Standards (PDF:115k)
- Flow Chart for Radionuclide Testing in Well Water (PDF:551k)
- A Guide for Private Well Owners:
English (PDF:333k), français (PDF:766Ko) - Guideline for Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Certificate Renewal (PDF:36k)
- Guidelines for Monitoring Public Drinking Water Supplies: ! File not found
- Maintaining Distribution System Water Quality (PDF:30k)
- Preparing an Action Plan when contamination persists following disinfection (PDF:19k)
- Radionuclides in Well Water: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF:89k)
- Safe Drinking Water for Public Water Systems: An Overview of a Diligent Approach (PDF:65k)
- Safe Drinking Water for Public Water Systems: A Diligent Approach (PDF:140k)
- Save Water in Your Home (PDF:91k)
- Sources of Radiation Exposure in Canada (PDF:214k)
- Taking Care of Your Water Supply (PDF:83k)
- Testing your well water for Lead-210 (PDF:116k)
- Users that must take particular precautions during a boil advisory (PDF:33k)
- Water Conservation (PDF:156k)
- Water, A Natural Recycler (PDF:169k)
- Water Wisdom Fact Sheet (PDF:146k)
- Water Utility Standard Operating Procedures and Contingency Plans Guidance (PDF:584k)
- Well Database User's Manual: ! File not found
- Well Disinfection Procedures (PDF:20k)
Maps
- Groundwater Resource Reports and Maps
- Municipal Drinking Water Supplies of Nova Scotia (PDF:1.1mb)
- Protected Water Areas of Nova Scotia (PDF:519k)
The Drop on Water
The Drop on Water is a series of fact sheets with information on different water quality parameters, such as bacteria and chemicals, that may be present in well water, as well as general information which will help homeowners protect their drinking water supplies and their health.
Municipal Water Approval Protocols
Municipal Water Approvals Protocols
Water Protection Plan
- Step 1 - Form a Source Water Protection Advisory Committee (PDF:2.4mb)
- Step 2 - Delineate a Source Water Protection Area Boundary (PDF:2.2mb)
- Step 3 - Identify Potential Contaminants and Assess Risk (PDF:2.6mb)
- Step 4 - Develop a Source Water Protection Management Plan (PDF:2.4mb)
- Step 5 - Develop a Monitoring Program (PDF:2.1mb)
Wastewater and Sewage Disposal
On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems
- Before You Construct an On-site Sewage System (PDF:989k)
- Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems (PDF:17.9mb)
- Taking Care of Your Home Sewage Disposal System (PDF:153k)
Municipal Wastewater
- Atlantic Canada Standards and Guidelines Manual for the Collection, Treatment, and Disposal of Sanitary Sewage (PDF:3.2mb)
- Municipal Wastewater Effluent Newsletters
Biosolids
- Biosolids FAQ (PDF:53k)
- Guideline for the Storage and Application of Biosolids (PDF:235k)
- On-site Sewage Disposal Systems Technical Guidelines
(Hard copies are available through Environment Regional Offices)
Environment and Labour Publications
Accountability Reports
- Fiscal Year 2007-2008 (PDF:164k)
- Fiscal Year 2006-2007 (PDF:389k)
- Fiscal Year 2005-2006 (PDF:480k)
- Fiscal Year 2004-2005 (PDF:405k)
- Fiscal Year 2003-2004 (PDF:631k)
- Fiscal Year 2002-2003 (PDF:427k)
Business Plans
- 2007-2008 (PDF:230k)
- 2006-2007 (PDF:168k)
- 2005-2006 (PDF:145k)
- 2005-2006 Business Plan Highlights (PDF:20k)
- 2004-2005 (PDF:53k)
- 2004-2005 Budget Background: Protecting Priorities (PDF:308k)
- 2003-2004 (PDF:171k)
2006-2007 Budget Highlights:
- Competitiveness & Compliance Initiative (PDF:14k)
- Environmental Home Assessment Program (PDF:13k)
- Land Acquisition (PDF:11k)
- Elimination of the Liquor Licence Levy (PDF:11k)
- Septage Treatment Assistance Program (PDF:13k)
- Trade Union Act (PDF:14k)
French Language Services
- Progress Report for 2007-2008 (PDF:38k)
- Workplan for 2007-2008 (PDF:36k)
Strategy Documents
- Green Plan - Towards a Sustainable Environment (PDF:2.1mb) (June 2003)
- Green Plan: Progress Towards a Sustainable Environment (Dec 2005)
- A Drinking Water Strategy for Nova Scotia: A Comprehensive Approach to the Management of Drinking Water (PDF:1.2mb) (October 2002)