Industries, Commercial Businesses and Institutions

Staff members of the Pollution Prevention Program are responsible for the inspection and enforcement of industrial waste discharges into Halifax Water's storm and sanitary sewer systems. 

Objectives of the Pollution Prevention Program:

• Protect the health and safety of the public and municipal workers.
• Reduce pollution discharged to Halifax Water's sewer systems, rivers, lakes, and ocean and our harbour.
• Protect the physical integrity of the collection system, pumping stations and wastewater treatment plants, thereby reducing operational, maintenance and rehabilitation costs.
• Reduce potential operational problems related to the municipal wastewater process.
• Insure that municipal wastewater effluent continuously meets provincial and federal effluent criteria.
• Reduce potential bio-solids management problems caused by excessive concentrations of prohibited materials.

Staff of the P2 Program can help you with ideas and changes for your business that may prevent harmful wastes from entering the drain and cause damage to municipal infrastructure and our environment.

The P2 Program is developing educational materials for businesses and encourages you to contact the P2 office. Our newest brochure is "Preventing Fat, Oil and Grease Discharges into Sewers, A Guide for Food Establishments in Halifax Regional Municipality" (534 KB).

Businesses will find that by reducing wastewater discharges, your business will save money and protect our environment.  By working together we can make a difference.

As an owner, operator or an employee of a business in HRM, if you have any questions about your business and compliance with Halifax Water's Wastewater Regulations, please direct your inquires to the Pollution Prevention Office.

Salt Management

The Pollution Prevention Program is also involved with the sampling of runoff waters from our streets and roads in support of the development of a Regional Salt Management Plan.

A Code of Best Practices is under development to minimize the degree of risk from road deicing activities on our roadways and sidewalks during the winter season.  This will be achieved through the development of Best Management Practices of mechanical plowing and deicing while striving to mitigate the impact of road salt in our environment.

Education for Businesses and Schools

The Pollution Prevention Team is available upon request to conduct presentations for businesses and schools within HRM.

Should you have any questions or comments, please direct inquiries to the Pollution Prevention Office.