Nova Scotia Environment published a guide entitled, "Designation of a Protected Water Area" to help municipalities and the general public better understand the potential role of designation in a municipal source water protection plan. The guidance explains the steps required to designate a Protected Water Area and is intended to help municipalities and their Watershed Advisory Committees decide if designation is an appropriate management option for the source water supply area.

The preparation of a municipal source water protection plan is based on a consensus-driven approach as described in the five-part information series entitled "Developing a Municipal Source Water Protection Plan: A Guide for Water Utilities and Municipalities". This guidance should be read in conjunction with Step 4 entitled "Develop a Source Water Management Plan". Step 4 describes the wide range of management options that can be used to help protect drinking water from potential sources of contamination, including the designation of a Protected Water Area process as detailed in Designation of a Protected Water Area.

As the designation process involves the development of regulations, Nova Scotia Environment should be consulted prior to initiating the process. In addition, if designation regulations are included in the municipal source water protection plan, Section 106(7) of the Environment Act requires full public consultation before regulations are approved by the Minister of Environment.

Regulations in effect for existing designated Protected Water Areas are available for review (scroll to the section of the page with the heading "Protected Water Area Regulations"). Water utilities are responsible for enforcing these regulations. Information on Protected Water Area Enforcement (PDF:103k) is available to assist municipal water utilities.