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Water Supply Assessments

The Community Planning Act states in Section 49(2)(g) that tentative subdivision plans shall show the availability and nature of domestic water supplies.  As well, the Provincial Subdivision Regulation states in Section 7(2) that a development officer shall not approve a subdivision plan if, in his opinion and in the opinion of the commission,

a)      The land is not reasonably suited or cannot be economically suited to the purpose for which it is intended or may not reasonably be expected to be used for that purpose within a reasonable time after the plan is approved.

The Rural Planning District Commission requires that water supply assessments be completed to ensure that future owners of subdivided lots have a high probability of obtaining water with acceptable quality and in adequate quantities for domestic use in both the short and long term.

Abbreviated Water Supply Assessments are required for subdivision plans which:

1. would create 10 or more lots, including the remnant; or
2. is in an area with documented drinking water quality or quantity problems; or
3. would create a cumulative total of 10 or more lots from an original lot.

Comprehensive Water Supply Assessments are required for subdivision plans which:

1. had an Abbreviated Water Supply Assessment completed that recommended the subdivision plan be subject to a Comprehensive Water Supply Assessment; or
2. would create 25 or more lots, including the remnant; or
3. would create a cumulative total of 25 or more lots from an original lot.

Water supply assessments must be completed by a qualified hydrogeologist or a qualified professional engineer.

The Rural Planning District Commission’s complete policies and standards for water supply assessments can be found in the Water Supply Assessment Guidelines.

For more information on subdivision approvals and water supply assessments please contact the Rural Planning District Commission office serving your area.