In 2021, the Lake Major Watershed Advisory Board (Board) was approached about inconsistencies in the Lake Major Watershed Protected Water Area regulations (regulations) specific to the provincially designated Lake Major Watershed Protected Water Area (PWA).
Having reviewed the regulations, the Board agreed with these concerns and formally recommended that Halifax Water request the province consider amendments to the regulations.
As a result of the Board’s recommendation, Halifax Water met with the Department of Environment and Climate Change in early 2022 to discuss the public consultation process. With support from the Board and the Province, Halifax Water has hosted public engagement sessions to help inform and seek input on potential amendments to these regulations.
On July 22, 2025, the changes were approved by the Department of Environment and Climate Change.
The Lake Major Watershed Protected Water Area Regulations were approved by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Timothy Halman, on July 22, 2025.
The full Lake Major Watershed Protected Water Area Regulations, effective July 22, 2025, can be found at the links below.
Halifax Water will be hosting public engagement sessions to provide an overview of the update regulations and to answer questions.
Each session will begin with an open-house period, followed by a 30-minute presentation that will provide an overview of the changes made to the regulations.
Following the presentation, staff from Halifax Water and the Nova Scotia Department of Environment & Climate Change will be available to answer questions.
Background
Halifax Water is responsible for managing the Protected Water Areas that act as primary water supplies for the Halifax Regional Municipality. The utility is directed to enforce the Protected Water Area regulations by the Province of Nova Scotia, which is ultimately responsible for approving any changes or amendments to the PWA regulations.
Through the Lake Major PWA regulations, the Lake Major Watershed Advisory Board (Board), comprised of stakeholders and community representatives, was established to advise the Minister and the Water Works Operator on managing the Lake Major watershed. You can find the Board’s terms of reference here.
Public Consultation Process
In July 2022 Halifax Water initiated the Regulations review process in response to a letter from the North Preston Ratepayers Association, which highlighted some inconsistencies in the Regulations. The Lake Major Watershed Advisory Board supported the review process.
The public review process of the Regulations included informing stakeholders, Halifax Water customers and Lake Major watershed landowners about how they may provide feedback on updating the existing Regulations.
Following the year-long public review process, the draft Regulation revisions were submitted to the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change in July of 2023 for internal review.
The Honourable Minister of Environment and Climate Change approved the revisions on July 22, 2025.
Past Public Engagement Sessions
To support the Province’s request for public input, Halifax Water hosted public engagement sessions in September and October 2022 at the East Preston Rec Centre, Lake Echo Community Rec Centre, North Preston Community Centre, Fairbanks Centre, Woodlawn United Church, and online.
These informal walk-in sessions included a number of information boards, allowing community members to walk through and learn more about the designated Lake Major Watershed Protected Water Area, the current regulations, and speak with representatives from Halifax Water if they have any questions.