Island man gets jail time for dumping human sewage on farm field
06/14/2018
An Island man was sentenced to four months in jail and ordered to pay over $10,000 in compensation in provincial court Wednesday, for dumping untreated human sewage on a farm field in Wheatley River.
Winston Sentner, who formerly owned and operated a septic pumping business, pleaded guilty after he was charged last fall with trespassing and damage to private property. The damage to property consisted of Sentner dumping close to 2,500 litres of human sewage on his neighbour's land.
The full story can be found at: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-sentencing-jail-time-winston-sentner-sewage-1.4704538
Waste Water Nova Scotia Mailing Address
09/08/2016
Canada Post has begun to require a Civic Number to be included in our mailing address. The new address is :
Waste Water Nova Scotia
60 Kyle Road
Greenwood, NS
B2H 5C7
New Forms required after May 1st
04/28/2016
There are a number of new forms that are required as of May 1st, 2016. These forms can be found on NSE's website at http://novascotia.ca/nse/wastewater/regulations.tech.guidelines.asp
Waste Water Nova Scotia Email
02/08/2016
Please note that the email address wwns@eastlink.ca is no longer operational. The new address is wastewaterns@eastlink.ca
ClearPod Approved for use in Nova Scotia
07/28/2015
ClearPod, a fixed film aeration technology, has been approved for use as a pretreatment unit for on-site sewage disposal systems in Nova Scotia. ClearPod may be used in new or retrofit applications. For more information email Matthew Collins at matthew@essecanada.com
Environmental Home Assessment Program (EHAP) discontinued
04/14/2015
The Environmental Home Assessment Program (EHAP), which provided funding for homeowner education, vouchers to encourage septic tank pumping and grants for low income homeowners to make repairs to their septic systems did not receive funding in the latest provincial budget.
Any septic repair grant clients from the last fiscal year that were "accepted" for the grant but unable to get the work done yet, will still be honored but there will be no new grants provided.
03/12/2014
Aqua02 ( formally Aquarobic International, Inc) - Decentralized On-Site WW Treatments Products
Aquarobics, makers of sequencing batch reactor (SBR) wastewater treatment systems and disposal methods, have been approved for use in NS. With NSF 40 Standard certification these units are suitable for a variety of applications, including small building lots, single family dwelling (1000 liter/day) to a larger maxi-plant series that can service subdivisions up to 1 million liters/day to (270,000 USG/D). Zero water emission packages, chemical free, denitrification, and more advantages. Ideal for subdivision use. These systems require a QPI design and must include subsurface disposal, unless otherwise approved by Nova Scotia Environment when replacing a malfunctioning system. For more information, please contact in Atlantic Canada – J. Michael O’Connor, P.Eng., QP 1, at Matrix Consulting Inc. 902-471-8336 or by email at matrixconsulting@eastlink.ca... www.matrixconsultinginc.ca
Quanics AeroCell and BioCOIR On-site Sewage Treatment Units
09/10/2012
Quanics AeroCell and BioCOIR on-site sewage treatment units have been approved for use in on-site sewage systems in Nova Scotia as a pretreatment unit. These systems require a QPI design and must include subsurface disposal, unless otherwise approved by Nova Scotia Environment when replacing a malfunctioning system. For more information, contact Doug MacKinnon (Sansom Equipment) at (902)476-2349 or email doug.mackinnon@sansom.ca
Advantex Products
06/20/2012
Orenco's Advantex AX20-RT, AX25-RT and AX100 advanced wastewater treatment systems have been approved for use in on-site sewage systems in Nova Scotia. The pre-treatment offer by these systems could be of benefit on small lots, malfunctions, etc. Advantex Systems require a QPI design and must include subsurface disposal, unless otherwise approved by Nova Scotia Environment when replacing a malfunctioning system. For more information contact Ken Reardon or Michele Hastie at Atlantic Purification Systems (APS) at 902-469-2806 or email kenreardon@aps.ns.ca. Also, you can access their website through the link in the "Resources" section.
Applications for Certification
06/06/2012
Starting May 14,2012, you may visit https://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/cmsapp/ to renew applications, submit new applications and submit payments for certifications online.
Within the sixty days prior to the certification expiration, eligible applicants can update their personal information, submit information for renewal, and submit a payment for certification with a credit card.
N.S. Hours of Service, PreTrip Inspection for Commercial Drivers
02/16/2012
Effective December 15, 2009
As was presented by Gary Giles of the Compliance Safety Institute during the WWNS AGM; the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal advised that new provincial Commercial Drivers’ Hours of Service Regulations have been approved, and they will apply to all motor carriers and drivers operating within Nova Scotia. The new regulations are almost the same as the federal regulations which have been in effect since January 1, 2007.
Comparing to the previous provincial rules, the maximum daily on-duty time has been reduced from 15 hours to 14 hours. A maximum daily work shift has been set at 16 hours. The minimum daily off-duty time has been increased from 8 hours to 10 hours. The number of work cycles has been reduced from 3 to 2. Log books will continue to be required for those traveling outside a 160km radius of their home terminal, and records for the previous 14 days will need to be kept in the vehicle.
A “commercial vehicle” is a truck, truck-tractor or trailer, or any combination of the two, that exceeds a registered gross vehicle weight of 4500 kg, or a bus that is designed and constructed to have a designated seating capacity of more than 10 persons, including the driver, and is used for transporting passengers for compensation.
For local operations, within 160 km radius of home base and returning home at the end of each day, the amount of record keeping required for the federal regulations has been reduced in the provincial rules. The local driver will only be required to keep track of working time and not the specific times when the driver has been driving or doing other work. The maximum daily on-duty time will remain at 14 hours and the minimum daily off-duty time will remain at 10 hours. Daily driving time will be limited by the maximum daily on-duty time. The recording of working time does not have to be in a log book, but it must be readable and understandable. These records must be kept in the vehicle for the previous 7 days.
Pre-trip Vehicle inspections are required and the driver of the vehicle is required to carry a record of the inspections and provide these records to an inspector when requested.
The carrier is the person who owns, leases or is otherwise responsible for the operation of a commercial vehicle. No motor carrier shall permit and no person shall drive a commercial vehicle on a highway unless that person is in possession of the required inspection report(s).
Note: The complete regulation is contained within the National Safety Code standard 9, hours of service, or standard 13, Daily Pre Trip Inspection.
More information is available on the web at www.compliancesafetyinstitute.com or contact Gary Giles, CSI, at 902-220-6954 or email at garygiles@thebusboys.com
New Wetland Policy
10/18/2011
The Province of Nova Scotia has released a new Wetland Policy to the public. A link to the policy and other information about wetlands in Nova Scotia is available on the Nova Scotia Environment website at http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/wetland/.
Use of Tire Derived Aggregate (TDA) in Residential On-site Septic Systems
09/06/2011
Nova Scotian on-site sewage Installers are now able to use processed tire shreds in the construction of leach fields for residential onsite wastewater treatment systems. Tire-derived aggregate (TDA) is a newly available construction material now produced locally from recycled vehicle tires. TDA has been approved as an alternative to stone aggregate in leach fields in Nova Scotia since 2009. Approved TDA material is now available as of July, 2011.
To date, Halifax C&D Recycling in Goodwood, Nova Scotia is the sole supplier of TDA in Nova Scotia. They can be reached at: (902) 876-8644 or http://www.halifaxcdrecycling.ca. Material can be obtained directly from the supplier or though your local septic system installer.
The approval process is the same for systems using TDA as for those using stone aggregate. The presence of some protruding wire in TDA requires that installers take basic construction safety precautions such as use of protective shoes and gloves, and remove excess material from the site through the use of magnetic nail sweepers or rakes.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPEMENT POINTS
07/17/2011
Each septic installer, septic tank cleaner, portable restroom operator or QP11 must collect 100 professional development points over a four year period in order to remain qualified to be licensed.
Those who do not have 100 points at the end of the 4 year period, will be required to retake training, at their own expense, before their license can be renewed.
Revision to Manual for Infiltrator Chambers
02/04/2011
A revision(Appendix A) to the manual "Selection an Installation Manual for Quick4 Chambers in Nova Scotia" has been approved by NSE. This will allow for the use of 2 inch pipe with 1/4 inch drilled holes to be used for distribution in pressurized systems using the Infiltrator Chambers. For a copy of this manual, contact your local Infiltrator distributor.
Tail-End Insurance for QPII's
07/26/2010
QPII's (Qualified Persons II) considering retirement should be aware that Tail End Insurance is now available at a reduced rate. For more information, contact Your insurance provider or the office of WWNS.
Amendment to Brookfield Concrete's Approval for use of Peat Module Systems
02/07/2010
Nova Scotia Environment have approved increasing the loading rate of Brookfield Concrete's Peat Module units to 250 litres per day. In that background, and subject to 'system design', home owners may now be able to get away with using four modules for up to a three bedroom home (1000L per day) and six modules for a four bedroom home (1500L per day).
For further information on Brookfield's amended approval, contact Earl Morgan at Brookfield Concrete (902)673-2225 or Nova Scotia Environment (902)424-7773.
Find a Licensed Operator
12/21/2009
Nova Scotia Environment keeps a listing of persons licensed to operate in Nova Scotia. The listings include, among others, Qualified Persons, Septic Installers, Septic Pumpers and Portable Restroom Operators. You may find these listings on the NSE website at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/resources/license.certification.listings.asp.
Please note that individuals are listed by county but their area of coverage may included multiple counties.
Encroaching on a NS Power Easement
04/28/2009
It has been brought to our attention that, should you be considering designing/selecting an on-site sewage system which will be encroaching on a NS Power easement, you must seek the approval of NS Power before proceeding.
As we understand it, when NS Power allows an on-site system to be constructed on their easement, there is a $1000.00 +HST administration fee for them to visit the site and register documents on the property deed.
For more information contact:
Jim Sandall
NS Power
Bedford Office
902-869-5367
Infiltrator Quick 4 Chambers Approved for Use in NS
04/28/2009
As of March 27, 2009 Infiltrator Quick 4 Chambers have been approved for use in the selection or design of on-site sewage systems in NS. Should you wish to use the Infiltrator Chambers you will have to refer to Infiltrator's "Selection and Installation Manual" when processing your on-site sewage application.
For additional information on the Infiltrator Chambers, we suggest you contact your local NSE office, or Don Krauss of Infiltrator Systems at 888-275-1238 (toll free) or 705-845-1443 (cell).
Picture: Septic tank and Infiltrator Quick 4 Chambers on a trailer for transport.
ECOFLO BIOFILTER
10/09/2008
Premier Tech Environment and The Shaw Group are pleased to announce that the Ecoflo treatment system is approved for use in Nova Scotia.
The Ecoflo is a peat module system for domestic wastewater treatment for residential and community applications. The Ecoflo system has a proven history and to date there are in excess of 40,000 installations in Canada and the United States. The Ecoflo is a lightweight module that occupies a small footprint on the property, and in most cases, only one module is required. The Ecoflo system is stocked at the GS Concrete facility in Windsor, Nova Scotia.
For more information on the Ecoflo system, please visit the Premier Tech Environment website at www.ptenv.com or the GS Concrete website at www.gsconcrete.ca.
You may also contact the GS Concrete office at 1-800-565-7000 or Alden Faulkner at 1-902-790-0623.
MICRO-MODULAR PEAT SYSTEM APPROVED
09/28/2008
A new Micro-Modular Peat Filter System, designed and produced by Brookfield concrete Products Ltd., has received approval by NS Environment for use in Nova Scotia as an on-site sewage disposal system. The new “lightweight” peat filters were subjected to an extensive testing program administered for Brookfield Concrete Products Ltd. by the Centre for Water Resources Studies and the Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science at Dalhousie University.
It is also presumed to have been the first study in the province in which the treatment efficiency of a peat filter exposed to different loading rates was assessed. The testing and monitoring project was carried out at the Nova Scotia On-Site Wastewater Research, Evaluation, and Training Facility, located at the Bio-Environmental Engineering Centre (BEEC) in Bible Hill, NS.
For information on this new, innovative system, you can contact Brookfield Concrete Products Ltd. at 1-866-705-2225 (toll free), or 902-673-2225.
Installer Insurance Requirements
05/02/2008
It is pertinent this year that each installer has proof of one million dollars liability insurance before their license can be renewed. Remember you need contractor’s liability as opposed to equipment liability to meet the requirements. If you have any concerns, please contact WWNS at 246-2131 or your local NSE office. (See "Requirement of On-site Sewage Installers, Septic Pumpers, Portable Washrooms Operators, Septic Bed Cleaners to Carry Contractors' General Liabilty Insurance(CGL)" article for futher information.)
New Civic Address Verification System
10/31/2007
Notice QP1's & QP11's: Nova Scotia Environment has launched a new civic address verification system. When they receive an application and the information from Section 3 of the application form is entered into their information system, the civic address is verified. If the system determines that the address is "not valid", the application is considered "incomplete." At that point an "incomplete" letter is sent out to the applicant/contact person to verify the site information in accordance with the Nova Scotia Geomatics Centre, Civic Address Viewer (Property On-Line).
Until such information is supplied in writing, the application will not be processed. To help prevent any delays with submitted applications, please ensure addresses in Section 3 of the application forms are in accordance with what is recorded by Property On-Line.
Note: The most common error is an incorrect community name for a given PID, so please check for validity.
Should you require further clarification with respect to the foregoing, contact your local Dept. of Environment Office.
Clarification of CGL Insurance
05/22/2007
Requirement of On-Site Sewage Installers, Septic Pumpers, Portable Washroom Operators, Septic Bed Cleaners to Carry Contractors' General Liability Insurance (CGL).
The Dept. of Environment requires the above groups to carry CGL Insurance and/or to be covered by the company for which they work.
It was originally intended that any employee working for a company had to be listed on their employer's insurance policy before they would be offered a certification.
This has created a problem as the insurance companies are telling the employers, "If your employee moonlights using their certification, i.e. pumps septic tanks, installs septic beds, etc., technically they are covered under the employer's CGL policy. Or, worse still, if your employee left your employ, went to another company and you did not remove him/her from your insurance policy, then they could still install septic systems, pump septic tanks, etc, as they are still insured under your policy."
As all CGL insurance policies cover employees "for acts within the scope of their employment", the Dept. of Environment will now accept applications for certification from individuals provided they provide a copy of the company's CGL policy, and a letter from a company official confirming the person applying for certification works for that company.
CONCLUSION:
While the Dept. of Environment will still accept applications for certification with an employee listed on the employer's insurance policy, I do not recommend you follow this practice as it puts your company at risk.
I recommend you provide a copy of the company CGL policy, with an attached list of employees covered. In this way, the employee has insurance coverage only while working for you. Any work they do outside the scope of your employment is at their own risk.
Any questions, give us a call.
Watercourse Buffers & Grandfathering Provisions
04/25/2007
Background: The Regional Plan includes new requirements for watercourse buffers relative to adjacent developement. The minimum buffer width is 20 meters. Where average slopes within the buffer exceed 20%, it is widened by 1 additional metre for every 2% increase in slope to a maximum width of 60 metres. Retaining riparian buffers around watercourses and along the coastline is important for the protection of water quality, and the wildlife protection of property from natural hazards of flooding. To maximize the protection benefits of riparian buffers, trees, shrubs, ground cover vegetation and soils must be protected. To that end, excavation, infilling, tree, stump and other vegetation removal or alteration within the buffer is prohibited.
Grandfathering Principle: To provide for the reasonable developement of "existing" lots that were designed to meet requirements in effect prior to the enactment of the water course buffer provisions.Further, where substantial design work and costs have been incurred in laying out on-site sewage disposal systems for existing lots, it is not the intention of HRM to disregard this work and request a re-design for the sole purpose of accommodating the watercourse buffer.
Existing Lots: The watercourse buffer requirements may be relaxed for existing lots. Where as more information is avaiable on this topic, it can be obtained from the following people:
1) Western Region, Andrew Faulkner @ 490-4402 or Rosemary MacNeil @ 490-4650: Central Region, Trevor Creaser @ 869-4235 or Kevin Warner @ 869-4389: Eastern Region, Sean Audas @ 490-4341 or Cathy Spencer @ 490-4416 and the Regional Planning Office, Kelly Denty @ 490-6011
