The Nashwaak Watershed

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What’s ‘Water Classification’? – A Fact Sheet

June 28, 2012

Questions about Water Classification? We’ve prepared this handy fact sheet for you.

The Water Classification Regulation:

  • is a regulation under the Clean Water Act
  • was introduced in 2002
  • is used to set goals for water quality and promote management of water on a watershed basis to protect, maintain or improve the water quality of New Brunswick’s lakes and rivers
  • establishes water quality classes and standards and outlines the administrative processes and requirements related to the classification of water

Classification of water consists of a 4-step process:

Step 1: Identifying and involving stakeholders and the public
Early in the process, the public is notified in newspapers and other means that the evaluation step has begun. Since evaluation may take a few years, several opportunities are created for the public and stakeholders to become knowledgeable about the classification process and become involved such as public meetings, focus
groups and newspaper advertisements.

Step 2: Evaluating the river system
Evaluation consists of monitoring and sampling over a period of years to determine chemical, physical and biological properties and aquatic life; assessing past, present
and potential uses of land and water; and provide opportunities to develop stakeholder and public consensus on the classification.

Step 3: Establising a vision for the watershed and selecting classes
Once the existing quality of a watercourse is known, the community can work to establish a vision for future water quality and to select a class for the water which would help to acheive the vision. A recommendation is presented to the Minister who undertakes a final public engagement activity to confirm the consensus reached on classification. The Minister then makes the final decision, considering the evaluation and consultation process and informs the public.

Step 4) Implementing classification, including the development of an action plan
In part, water quality goals set through water classification will be achieved through compliance and enforcement activities. Action can be undertaken by watershed groups and stakeholders through activities that protect or improve the quality of the water. Monitoring will help determine if water quality standards are being met and the Department of Environment and Local Government proposes carrying out the monitoring in cooperation with stakeholder groups, with an emphasis on volunteer
monitoring.

Requirements for waters classified under the regulation

Once a watercourse is classified, the water quality standards associated with the class will apply – it will be an offense to use the water or the land within the watershed associated with the watercourse in a way that will, directly or indirectly, cause the quality of the water to cease to meet the class standards or impede or stop any progress in
improvement toward meeting the class standard.

Reclassification can occur only after careful evaluation and public consultation, following a process similar to the procedure that was used to classify the water.

6 Classes for water quality

Outstanding Natural Waters

  • AP – Designated Drinking Water Supplies
  • AL – Lakes not classified as O or AP
  • A – Excellent Water Quality
  • B –  Good Water Quality
  • C –  Acceptable Water Quality

Sources
Overview: http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/services/services_renderer.201090.html
Planning for Water Quality: http://www.gnb.ca/0009/0371/0003/0001-e.asp
A Guide to New Brunswick’s Water Classification Regulation: http://www.gnb.ca/0009/0371/0003/waterclass-e.pdf

Download a copy of this Fact Sheet on Water Classification [.pdf]

Prepared by the Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc., June 2012

Filed Under: News & Events Tagged With: fact sheet, nashwaak watershed, new brunswick, water classification

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#DYK Pollinator species such as bees 🐝, hummingbirds, and butterflies🦋help plants reproduce by spreading pollen? This is important because it supports the biodiversity of native plants as well as crops around the world.If you would like to help our pollinator friends, here are some tips for growing a pollinator garden:🌻Succession planting - plan to have a variety of plants that bloom from spring to fall.🌷Cultivate variety - different pollinators love different shapes and colours of blossoms. Ensure there is a variety for them to choose from.🪺 Add bird baths and bee houses - this will encourage pollinators to take up residence and come back year after year.See the link below to discover native plant species that will make pollinators sure to visit your garden! 👇davidsuzuki.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DSF-NB-plant-list.pdf#ecofriendlyfriday #pollinator #MyNashwaak #nativeplantgarden ... See MoreSee Less

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Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.

2 days ago

Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.
Wondering what we’ve been up to lately? If you’re new here, you may not know that we plant lots of trees each year to help re-establish healthy floodplain forests along the Nashwaak River. These floodplain forests are composed of a mixture of silver maple, bur oak, red-tipped willow, red-osier dogwood, and many other species to ensure that there is lots of habitat for local biodiversity. 🌱Over the past two weeks, we’ve spent lots of time flagging! Each spring, we flag our recently planted trees so that we can conduct our seasonal maintenance. While these trees are superstars in terms of their ability to help stabilize riverbanks and provide habitat for local wildlife, they still need some help to ensure that they can survive. Mowing these areas helps to reduce competition from grass and ensure that they are receiving adequate sunlight. If you ever feel like lending a hand, please reach out to us via email at staff@nashwaakwatershed.ca! #MyNashwaak #riverbankrestoration #treeplanting #volunteer ... See MoreSee Less

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Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.

3 days ago

Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.
Sunday was a beautiful day for birding and what a wonderful gang we had at @nashwaakmeadows . A big thank you to Dan Serpiello and @atlanticducks for making it such a fun morning! The highlight was definitely the American bitterns ❤️ #birdwatching #community #MyNashwaak ... See MoreSee Less

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Contact Us

Mail:
Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.
P.O. Box 314, Station “A”
Fredericton, NB
E3B 4Y2

Office:
181 Westmorland Street
Fredericton, NB
E3B 3L6
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Phone: 506 447-9699
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