Purpose:

As a minimum, the water utility will meet the Guidelines for Monitoring Public Drinking Water Supplies of the Province of Nova Scotia’s Water and Wastewater Facility Regulations.

General:

The potential sources of supply for the water utility are, in order of priority:

1. Two drilled wells in Granville Ferry (a third well will be drilled in 2001).
2. A pond reservoir in Granville Ferry.
3. Grand Lake reservoir.

The drilled wells are the primary source of water supply to the Town, while the pond reservoir is the primary back-up supply. The Municipality of Annapolis County has responsibility for initial testing of these sources. Grand Lake is a secondary back-up source in the event both of the above sources are unavailable, or in the case of a major fire emergency.

The Public Works Superintendent is responsible for the implementation of these policies and procedures, unless otherwise indicated.

Training and Education

Operators of the Water Utility will receive training in the operation of the system, including Water Treatment Level I.

Testing Procedures

The Town will carry out water tests as follows:

1. Once per day at the Water Treatment Plant in Lequille for chlorine residuals. Results of these tests will be faxed monthly by Town Staff to the Nova Scotia Department of the Environment.
2. Once per week at the IGA, the Water Treatment Plant and at Frank Taylor’s in Lequille for Coliform Bacteria content. Required chlorine residual levels at these locations should be:
   
   IGA 0.6 mg/litre
   Water Treatment Plant 0.5 mg/litre
   Frank Taylor in Lequille 0.3 mg/litre
   
   These readings will be immediately submitted to the Middleton Hospital for testing for Coliform Bacteria.
   
   
3. Annually, on or about September 1, a water sample from the Water Treatment Plant will be mailed to the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, Box 550, 175 College Road, Harlow Institute Building, Truro, Nova Scotia B2N 5E3 (Telephone: (902)893-6565) for chemical and physical analysis. “GA” should be marked on the bottle label.

Corrective Actions to be Taken When Bacteria are Present:

1. No E.coli Present and Less than 10% Samples Positive for Total Coliforms
   
   
   1. Resample, at least, the coliform positive location(s) immediately;
   2. Check disinfection residual;
      
      
      1. If there is inductee residual throughout the system, increase disinfection.
      2. If there is no, or very low, disinfection residual at distant ends of the system, flush water mains and increase disinfection if necessary.
         
         
2. With E.coli (or fecal coliforms) present or more than 10% of samples positive for total coliforms
   
   Where fecal coliforms are present in any sample, the Town shall initiate a boil water advisory and shall immediately contact Nova Scotia Department of Environment (NSDOE) who will notify the Medical Officer of Health (MOH). NSDOE, MOH and the Town shall consider on a case by case basis the appropriate action.

Boil Water Advisories

Where a Boil Water Advisory is required, notification will be immediate, and in order of priority, as follows:

1. Mayor
2. Chairman of Public Works Committee
3. Hospital
4. Nursing Home
5. Schools
6. Restaurants
7. General Populace

A call list for the first four categories will be prepared and updated regularly. Radio and door to door calling will be made to inform Water Utility customers of the Boil Water Advisory. The Town Clerk is responsible for preparing the call lists and for ensuring the Advisory activities are carried out with dispatch.

Grand Lake Water Usage

1. In the event Granville Ferry water is interrupted to the Town, Grand Lake water will be used as back-up. A Boil Water Advisory will be issued immediately, and the water treatment plant (to be installed by the end of June, 2001) at Grand Lake placed in operation. The Boil Water Advisory will be continued until testing indicates to the NSDOE, MOH & the Town that it should be lifted.
2. Under unusual fire circumstances, untreated Grand Lake water may be introduced to the water system by the order of the Fire Chief after consultation with the Mayor. A Boil Water Advisory and recommendations to Water Utility customers not to drink the water will be issued. Once the Grand Lake water has been shut off, the Boil Water Advisory will be continued until testing indicates to the NSDOE, MOH & the Town that it should be lifted.