The Water Extraction Permitting Policy is the prime instrument utilized by the Department to make decisions around the use of both surface water and groundwater. The policy provides for sustainable protection of the province’s water resources and aquatic habitat. It was...
What kinds of wells need a permit? The following types of wells require a Water Withdrawal Permit in order to use the well: high-capacity wells; low-capacity wells; or wells used to supply a central water supply system A low-capacity well supplies more than 25 m 3/day while a...
This year’s Prince Edward Island Environmental Award winners were announced this morning in Charlottetown, said Minister of Communities, Land and Environment Robert Mitchell. “There is a lot of great environmental work being done across Prince Edward Island and it is important we...
The Air Quality Health Index or "AQHI" is a public information tool. Using the AQHI can help you to protect yourself better from the negative effects of air pollution. You can do this by: limiting short-term exposure to air pollution, and adjusting your activity when air pollution levels are high. The Air Quality Health Index measures air quality on a scale from 1 to 10. The higher the number, the greater the health risk associated with breathing the air. When the amount of air pollution is very high, the number will be reported as 10. How do I see the air quality index in my area? Information...
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, nitrate is common in our groundwater, ponds, streams, and estuaries. Human activity is responsible for over 90% of the nitrates in many Island...
Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae blooms, are not common in PEI but can be 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 freshwater ponds)...
L’Île-du-Prince-Édouard suit les Recommandations pour la qualité de l’eau potable au Canada pour évaluer la salubrité de l’eau potable et son utilisation à des fins domestiques. Les valeurs les plus importantes sont les « concentrations maximales acceptables », des...
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 small, but varies from...