The following is the Communication Protocol for Disruptions in Water Quality - Halifax Regional Water Commission (HRWC).

The HRWC samples fifteen (16) locations in the former City of Halifax, twenty-two (22) locations in the former City of Dartmouth, ten (10) locations in the former County area and at seven (7) Small Systems at: Five Island Lake, Miller Lake, Silver Sands, Middle Musquodoboit, North Preston, Lively Subdivision and Collins Park. Samples are taken twice weekly in the distribution systems served by the J. Douglas Kline and Lake Major Water Supply Plants, and weekly in the Small Systems. These samples are collected by the HRWC's Water Sampler and delivered to the QEII Pathology Lab for analysis. The reports from the QEII Lab are communicated to the HRWC and the Nova Scotia Department of Environment (NSDEL) simultaneously.

In the event of presence of total coliform in any of the samples in the distribution system, the HRWC and the NSDEL are notified immediately and HRWC's Sampler, if possible, will re-sample that location to confirm the indication of a problem in water quality the same day.

If the second sample indicates a presence of total coliform bacteria or if any sample registers for fecal coliform or E. coli, HRWC will contact the NSDEL and the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) by phone, to confirm the requirement for extra sampling or any other activity to mitigate the situation.

If there are total coliforms in repeat samples or E. coli or fecal coliform present in any sample, the HRWC, NSDEL, and MOH will meet a.s.a.p. to set out an appropriate form of action. Such meetings may be in person or through teleconference.

If the problem is not resolved, the HRWC, in concert with the MOH, will issue a Press Release (for Boil Advisory), as attached.

Any of the following events may require a Boil Advisory, and if they occur, urgent communication between the HRWC, NSDEL, and the MOH is needed.

1) water main break, equipment failure or treatment failure with significant potential for water quality problems;

2) suspected cross contamination or negative pressure;

3) use of emergency water supply from an unchlorinated source;

4) evidence of waterborne illness.

If a Boil Advisory has been issued, the HRWC, NSDEL, and the MOH will communicate on a daily basis to determine the cause of the problem and take mitigating measures. The Boil Advisory may be removed by the MOH, in consultation with the HRWC and NSDEL, when:

1) Two (2) consecutive samples, taken at least 24 hours apart, meet the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water for coliform bacteria;

2) Deficiencies which lead to the Boil Advisory are corrected, and

3) Sufficient finished water displacement has occurred in the water works system to eliminate potentially contaminated water.

All activities stated above will be in accordance with the Guidelines for Monitoring Public Drinking Water Supplies (see APPENDIX 1).

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Protocol for Chain Lake Emergency - Water Supply Plant

Protocol for Lake Lamont Emergency - Water Supply Plant