Province introduces legislation to push back drinking, waste water standards
Posted Nov 19, 2012 05:28:15 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Nova Scotia municipalities would be given more time to meet drinking and waste water standards under legislative changes tabled today.
Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau says the changes to the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act would push back target dates to improve drinking and waste water requirements.
Municipalities had until 2008 to upgrade their drinking water, but they would have until 2020 to meet this year’s standards under the new legislation.
Upgrades to waste water treatment would be pushed back to 2017 from 2020.
Belliveau says the new targets are realistic because most municipalities don’t have the federal funding necessary to make required upgrades to infrastructure.
Department officials say there are no penalties if the municipalities don’t meet the new targets.
