Quality Standards

Arsenic
Arsenic (As) is a natural element found in the Earth’s crust. Some areas of Nova Scotia have a greater potential for elevated arsenic levels in drinking water.
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Bacteria
Total coliforms are a group of bacteria commonly found in the environment, for example in soil or vegetation, as well as the intestines of mammals, including humans.
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Calcium and Magnesium
Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) are both abundant in soil and rocks.They are both essential to human health.
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Chloride
Chloride (Cl-) is a negative ion of the element chlorine (Cl) and is widely distributed in the environment. It is present in water, soil, rock, and many foods.
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Colour
Ideally, drinking water should be clear and colourless. A change in colour in drinking water may be the first indication of a water quality problem.
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Hard Water
Hard water is water with a high mineral content. Water is made hard by high levels of metal ions, mainly calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) in the form of carbonates.
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Iron and Manganese
Iron and Manganese are metallic elements present in many types of rock. Both are essential elements required in small amounts by all living organisms.
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Iron Bacteria
Iron Bacteria are small living organisms that naturally occur in soil, surface water and ground water.
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Lead
Lead is a naturally occuring element. The main source of lead in drinking water is through contact with plumbing materials with lead components.
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Uranium
Uranium is a naturally occuring radioactive element that exists in soil and rock throughout the world. Some areas of Nova Scotia have a greater potential for elevated levels of uranium in well water.
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