Water in PEI
Image caption: Anoxic Event Trout River - July 26, 2017
Anoxic events are a common occurrence in Island estuaries during the summer months. The symptoms of an anoxic event include:
milky white or green discolouration of the water,
H2S or 'rotten...
Antimony occurs naturally in small amounts in several minerals in the earth’s crust, is used in various manufacturing processes, and is present in plumbing solder. It can enter drinking water as a result of the weathering of rocks and soils, from...
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that is widely distributed throughout the Earth’s rocks and soils. Arsenic can be dissolved from arsenic bearing minerals in the soil or rock and be present in groundwater. On a more local basis, arsenic can also...
Bacterial contamination is the most common water quality problem faced by private well owners. Because there are so many different types of bacteria, the laboratory tests for only two types of “indicator” organisms; total coliform bacteria and E. coli....
Barium is a naturally occurring element that is found in small quantities in a variety of minerals. Varying amounts of barium can be dissolved as water passes through rocks and soils and be present in groundwater. Barium may also be present in the air as...
Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae blooms are not common in PEI are a concern as some strains can produce toxins that are harmful to human or animal health. In PEI cyanobacteria can be found in shallow, warm, and slow moving or still water (including...
Chloride is a naturally occurring element that is common in most natural waters and is most often found as a component of salt (sodium chloride) or in some cases in combination with potassium or calcium. The presence of chloride in groundwater can result...
Prince Edward Island's current climate change strategy was released in November 2008. The 47 action items put forward in the Strategy were designed to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhance carbon sinks, help people prepare for the impacts of...
You can use this online application to get detailed information about the quality of drinking water in Island communities and watersheds. The application provides a summary of the on-going testing of drinking water done by the Prince Edward Island...
Do you know someone who has worked hard to protect, preserve or enhance the environment? Does an individual or a school group deserve special recognition for their environmental efforts? Has an Island business or organization shown leadership in reducing...
More than 250 watersheds provide drinking water and water for agricultural and commercial needs in Prince Edward Island. In many communities, the residents and business owners manage the resources in their watershed. The local watershed management group...
Stream level data is available for a number of streams across the province. Stream level data can be accessed from June through September, and is also available for download.
What is this data used for?
Those who hold a Water Withdrawal for Irrigation...
Water testing services are provided for a variety of clients through the PEI Analytical Laboratories. Water quality results are assessed according to the recommendations of the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality published by Health Canada....
Hardness is commonly referred to as the ability of your water to neutralize soap, or the inability of the water to form soap lather. Hard water is caused by high concentrations of calcium and manganese in the water, and can cause scale to form on hot...
What is a high capacity well?
Any well where 4 L/second or more of water is extracted is a high capacity well.
What are high capacity wells used for?
High capacity wells are used for drinking water supplies, aquaculture, food processing, irrigation...
Chemical disinfection or chlorination of a water supply is suggested when a well has been found to be contaminated by bacteria. New wells and repaired wells, and any associated plumbing, should be disinfected before being put into service. The routine...
In Prince Edward Island we use the “Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality” to assess the safety of drinking water and its suitability for domestic use. The most important values are the health-based guidelines expressed as “maximum acceptable...
Bacterial contamination is the most common water quality problem faced by private well owners. This information sheet will lead you through the step-by-step procedure to deal with cases of bacterial contamination of private wells.
Step 1: Results of...
Iron is a naturally occurring element that is common in PEI rocks and soils. Iron can occur in well water for two reasons; it may be present in fine sediment particles, or it may be present in dissolved form in the water. A reddish-brown colour to the...
Lead is a naturally occurring element that is present in some minerals in rocks and soils, but the main source of lead in drinking water is generally through contact with plumbing components containing lead. The amount of lead dissolved into drinking...
The Government of PEI monitors nitrate concentrations in streams to provide relevant information to the impacts from high amounts. Excess nitrate in downstream areas such as ponds or estuaries can lead to the excess growth of aquatic plants and algae...
Manganese is a naturally occurring element that is common in PEI rocks and soils. Under oxygen-rich conditions, manganese is relatively insoluble and its concentration in groundwater is generally quite low. In cases where oxygen levels in groundwater are...
Over 100 wells are monitored annually, including those that provide drinking water to private homes, schools, municipalities, and seniors’ housing facilities. Sampling of the wells is conducted each January/February by departmental staff. The samples are...
Nitrate is a naturally occurring form of nitrogen that is commonly found throughout the environment. It is present at low levels in most groundwaters, but can be present significantly higher levels in areas with extensive use of fertilizers, storage and...
Nitrate is a form of nitrogen. It can readily dissolve in water and can travel easily through soil to the water table. As a result, it is common in our groundwater and in Island ponds, streams, and estuaries.
Human activity is responsible for over...
What is the climate of Prince Edward Island?
Prince Edward Island has a mild maritime climate, strongly influenced by the warm waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Each year, the Island gets about 890 mm of rain and 290 cm of snow. The average...
Surface water from nine rivers is sampled under the Pesticide Monitoring Program. Three of the nine rivers are sampled each year for a selected number of pesticides.
Stream water samples and sediment samples are collected once in July, twice in August...
Wetlands are shallow, wet areas that support aquatic plants such as bulrushes and cattails, as well as shrubs and trees. These areas provide habitat for waterfowl, fish, amphibians and hundreds of invertebrates.
Why are wetlands important to PEI?...
Each year people see things in streams, ponds and estuaries that cause concern, but this does not mean that the water is polluted. Often, there is a natural cause for these conditions.
If you are concerned about water quality because of something you...
Selenium is a naturally occurring element that is widely distributed throughout the Earth’s rocks and soils and is found in trace quantities in most plant and animal tissues. Selenium can be dissolved by weathering of minerals in the soil or rock or...
Sodium is a naturally occurring element that is widely distributed throughout the Earth’s rocks and soils, most often found in combination with chloride in the form of salt (sodium chloride). The presence of sodium in groundwater can result from a number...
What type of testing is available for drinking water?
Bacteria testing measures both total coliform and E. coli. Bacteria tests provide a general indication of the condition of the well and plumbing system. They also help to identify contamination by...
Uranium is a naturally occurring element that is widely distributed throughout the Earth’s rocks and soils. Uranium can be dissolved from minerals in the soil or rock and be present in groundwater. The concentration of uranium in water is typically very...
Groundwater level search results include data from 14 groundwater level observation wells across PEI; mapped locations of observation wells; graphs; and downloadable raw data. The groundwater level data provides long-term trend information, both...
Water found in rivers, streams, ponds, and estuaries is known as surface water. You can search the Surface Water Quality Database to find information about the quality of surface water in PEI including sampling locations, down-loadable raw data, and...
How was the Water Act created?
The proposed Water Act is set to create a new and more effective water management regime. A white paper was released in 2015 followed by public consultations conducted by the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC). The...
TYPE of ANALYSIS
TEST
FEES
(Rates do not include HST)
Drinking Water Analysis
Bacteria
Total coliform/E. Coli (Membrane filter Method)
$40.
Hetertrophic Plate Count (Spread Plate Method)
$20.
Resamples
$...
What types of drinking water and wastewater facilities need to be classified?
All central drinking water and wastewater systems that service more than 5 connections must:
be registered with the Department of Communities, Land and Environment by...
The Water Extraction Permitting Policy is the prime instrument utilized by the Department of Communities, Land and Environment to make decisions around the use of both surface water and groundwater. The policy provides for sustainable protection of the...
The Department of Communities, Land and Environment has developed an overview of water quality on a watershed basis, so that Islanders can see the general health of water and compare it to that of other PEI watersheds.
What is being reported on?
Each...
A new funding formula will improve how Island watershed organizations receive provincial funding.
Funding will now be distributed more fairly and predictably to the watershed groups – which work to protect and improve some of the Island’s most...
The watershed management fund provides financial support to community-based watershed groups on Prince Edward Island.
Who may apply for the watershed management fund?
Any community-based watershed group may apply.
What types of projects are eligible...
Watersheds on PEI
A watershed is an area of land that drains surface water and groundwater into a river or stream.
Prince Edward Island has more than 250 watersheds. They provide drinking water for the province, as well as water for agricultural and...