Raymond wants water testing for new developments

Monday October 4, 2004

Halifax – Halifax Atlantic MLA and NDP critic for Municipal Affairs, Michele Raymond, is presenting a private member’s bill that will enable municipalities to require hydrogeological surveys before approving any new subdivision development.

“In my constituency we’ve seen the negative impact on older established residences when a new development starts drawing on the same water table,� says Raymond. “Herring Cove and in Fall River, Albert Bridge, Hammond Plains and Beaverbank and many other communities across the province are experiencing the repercussions of new development that has been improperly planned for.�

Last spring HRM council passed a resolution asking the province to make such a change in the Municipal Government Act. The hydrogeological survey could prevent the huge cost of water replacement when the proposed development causes too much of a drain on existing water tables.

“This type of survey would identify areas which can not sustain proposed developments without harming the water supply of the existing residents,� says Raymond.

“For too long the province has washed its hands of this problem in water that no one could safely drink.�

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