Water Act protects water and the environment on PEI

Prince Edward Island’s Water Act comes into effect on June 16. This comprehensive Act, which was developed with considerable input from the stakeholders and public from 2014 – 2017 by then Minister Robert Mitchell will provide fair access to water for everyone, while ensuring the protection of one of our most important resources. 

To support the Water Act, the following regulations under the Act have been approved: 

• Well Construction Regulations,
• Sewage Disposal Regulations,
• Water Supply System and Wastewater Treatment Regulations, and
• Water Withdrawal Regulations.

“Our primary interest is in protecting water through science-based decision making and research. Our agriculture industry and our watersheds have unique needs. The Water Act allows us to look at things like extraction, water levels and irrigation and ensure we are making the right decisions based on the sensitivities and concerns held by specific groups and by all Islanders.”

- Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Steven Myers

During the spring sitting of the Legislative Assembly, the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and provided seven recommendations to government. Government is responding to each of them, including the development of a sustainable irrigation strategy. When the sustainable irrigation strategy is drafted it will be made public and will be sent to the members of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources for input, as requested.  

“A sustainable irrigation strategy will be developed taking into account that each watershed is unique and for that reason a ‘one size fits all’ approach will not work across the province,” said Minister Myers. “The sustainable irrigation strategy will also have requirements for soil health and the agriculture industry will be required to follow sustainable soil health practices.” 

Several of the recommendations from the Standing Committee on Natural Resources have also been incorporated into draft amendments to the Water Withdrawal Regulations. These amendments have been provided to the Committee and are available publicly for comment at Water Act.

Media contact:
Jill Edwards
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action
jedwards@gov.pe.ca