National Water Supply Expansion Program

Nova Scotia (CNSWSEP)

Ensuring long-term access to good-quality water

Fact sheet about the CNSWSEP

Why do we need to ensure our water supply?

Depending on the weather alone to provide enough water to support their farm operations is a chance few Canadian producers can afford to take. In fact, producers often have to deal with water management issues as a result of Canada's variable climate. Therefore, providing tools to better manage water resources to secure a long-term water supply simply makes good business sense.

What are the objectives of the Canada-Nova Scotia Water Supply Expansion Program?

The objective of the Canada-Nova Scotia Water Supply Expansion Program is to ensure the agricultural sector/community has access to a secure, good quality water resource to meet its existing and growing needs through a water management program that stresses efficient and effective use of available rural water supplies.

The program is funded by the National Water Supply Expansion Program (NWSEP) which is a Canada-wide initiative that will help improve the capacity of Canada's agricultural community to manage the availability of suitable agricultural water through expanded rural water supply. The Canada-Nova Scotia Water Supply Expansion Program will be carried out under the authority of the NWSEP, though specifically for Nova Scotia producers.

Who can participate in the program?

Eligible participants for Canada-Nova Scotia Water Supply Expansion Program assistance in Nova Scotia include:

• individuals and/or incorporated groups of farmers;
• agricultural and conservation groups;
• agri-businesses and rural enterprises;
• educational institutions; and
• provincial government departments, agencies, and crown corporations.

What kinds of projects are eligible?

The Canada-Nova Scotia Water Supply Expansion Program will support three types of projects:

Tier One - On-farm water infrastructure projects: individual on-farm infrastructure such as water meters, ponds, off-stream water collection, and storage structures that supply a secure water source. Tier One applications will be available through the Farm Investment Fund beginning in the 2005-2006 program year;

Tier Two - Multi-user infrastructure projects: larger scale infrastructure developments which provide water to multiple water users, such as shared pipelines and reservoirs, that will lead to growth in the agricultural sector; and

Tier Three - Strategic work projects, which include:

• activities that will serve to increase opportunities for strategic partnerships and to enhance producer and industry understanding of the operational and developmental limitations to the water resources in their communities; and
• projects that promote the development of information and technologies or the dissemination of information, including but not limited to, regional groundwater studies, regional water-management planning, water-supply conservation, feasibility studies, and information-extension activities.

In addition, projects must comply with all of the following criteria:

• reduce the risk of future water supply challenges;
• target priorities identified in the Nova Scotia component of the National Scoping Study;
• be scientifically, technically, and financially feasible;
• be environmentally acceptable;
• enhance the potential for rural economic growth; and
• result in long-tern water-supply solution.

Note: A Canada-Nova Scotia Water Supply Expansion Program committee consisting of federal and provincial representatives will assess all proposals based on the quality of each project plan, the degree to which project plans are incremental or complementary to other existing federal and provincial programs, and the degree to which projects provide broad-based public or environmental benefits.

What financial assistance is available?

• For on-farm infrastructure projects, the Government of Canada will contribute up to 1/3 of the eligible cost to a maximum of $5,000 per project (up to $15,000 for three projects per applicant). The Government of Nova Scotia will contribute up to an additional 1/3 of the eligible costs to a maximum of $10,000 in support, delivered through the Farm Investment Fund program. The maximum contribution on any project shall not exceed 66% of eligible costs.
• For multi-user infrastructure projects, the Government of Canada will contribute up to the one-third of the eligible costs, to a maximum of $100,000 per project.
• For strategic work projects, cost sharing arrangements may vary and will be determined on a project-by-project basis, to a maximum of $100,000 per project.

What is the application deadline?

The Canada-Nova Scotia Water Supply Expansion Program ends on March 31, 2008. The Province of Nova Scotia will accept applications for Tier One projects in Spring 2005. Applications for Tiers Two and Three will be accepted on the following dates: For 2004, October 1 and December 1; and 2005, March 1, September 1 and December 1.

How do I apply?

To apply for assistance under the Canada-Nova Scotia Water Supply Expansion Program, complete the Application for Assistance form and send it to the designated location listed in the following section. In addition to providing information such as name, address and relevant contact telephone numbers, applicants must provide initial project information such as location, description, estimated start and completion dates, estimated project costs, and sources of funding.

Where to obtain and submit your application:

Tier One (available Spring 2005)

Canada-Nova Scotia Water Supply Expansion Program - Tier One
Programs and Business Risk Management Division
Farm Investment Fund
Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
PO Box 550
Truro, NS B2N 5E3
Ph: (902) 893-6510
Fax: (902) 893-7579

Tiers Two and Three (available now)

Canada-Nova Scotia Water Supply Expansion Program
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
AgriTECH Park
90 Research Drive
Truro, NS B2N 6Z4
Ph: (902) 896-0332
Fax: (902) 896-0100

Reviewing your application

The Canada-Nova Scotia Water Supply Expansion Program committee will screen and rate all applications received to ensure program funds are directed to those projects which best address program objectives and priorities.

Note: You must receive written approval for your project prior to beginning the proposed work. All projects will be subject to a review under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Any projects started before receipt of written approval are not eligible for funding.

After your project is approved

Once a project is approved for financial assistance, the applicant will receive a letter specifying the amount of assistance they are eligible to receive, as well as a deadline to complete the project. If you do not complete the project by the deadline, you may not receive any financial assistance.

For program and application information, please visit the Web site.