Connecting water budget analysis to water safety planning for small Atlantic Canadian communities.

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As the climate changes, the natural water systems upon which Canadian's rely are changing too and small water utilities in Atlantic Canada have limited resources with which to assess the sustainability of their water supplies. The Centre for Water Resources Studies (CWRS) at Dalhousie University will partner with the Town of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority (AFNWA) to fill knowledge gaps related to the Lake George Watershed Protection Area, which provides source drinking water to the Town of Yarmouth, Acadia First Nation, and parts of the county. Lake George was last studied in the 1960s and a recent drought has raised questions about climate change impacts on source water. The goals of this partnership will be to: (1a) Accurately delineate the watershed boundaries and landcover using the latest scientific techniques; (1b) Conduct a comprehensive water budget analysis to understand the capacity of the watershed to meet human and ecological needs; (2a) Factor in climate projections to understand watershed vulnerabilities; and (2b) Link the hydrologic projections to a water safety plan (WSP) risk-assessment framework and suggest key hydrologic indicators to support climate change planning for small Atlantic Canadian water utilities and First Nations communities. This project will contribute to municipal and First Nations water policy and planning, and one Master's student will be trained. The expected outcomes of the project will include the water budget analysis and a guidance tool to help other municipal and First Nations systems apply hydrologic projections and WSP approaches to characterize and mitigate risks to source water. This tool will be instrumental for small systems in the Atlantic region with limited financial resources to prioritize and respond to the impacts of climate change on drinking water security.