GREATER MOLEGA LAKE LOT OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Cottage and Property Maintenance
On-site sewage (commonly referred to as septic systems)
Installing/modifying a septic system is controlled by NS Dept. of Environment. Anyone installing/modifying an on-site system requires an approval from the Dept of the Environment.
How to find a Qualified Person/Engineer: http://novascotia.ca/nse/cms/search.asp This site is also where you would look up a septic tank pumper.
General info for On-site Septic systems can be found at: http://www.novascotia.ca/nse/wastewater/on.site.sewage.disposal.asp
The general guideline for tank pumping is every 3 -5 years although there are factors that affect the frequency such as size of the tank, how many people live in the home ,how many/how frequently guests visit, how responsible the residents are with water conservation/use, and how much the cottage is occupied. The septic system guide for homeowners can be found at: http://www.novascotia.ca/nse/wastewater/docs/Homeowners.Guide.to.Septic.Systems.pdf
Drinking water wells: A homeowner does not need approval to install a well but the installation must be done by a Certified well contractor:
http://novascotia.ca/nse/cms/search.asp
This link is focused on private well water supplies and includes a series of fact sheets called “Drop On Water” which can be very helpful in answering questions on specific drinking water quality concerns http://www.novascotia.ca/nse/water/privatewells.asp
Cisterns: The following link provides information on the use of cisterns for water supply which may be a reasonable alternative to digging a well. http://www.novascotia.ca/nse/water/docs/droponwaterFAQ_Cisterns.pdf
Oil heating (spill prevention): risk of spills from oil heating can be higher for cottage properties because of potential vandalism/theft, amount of time the cottage is not occupied, etc.. This is a booklet that will give guidance on domestic oil tanks spill prevention: http://www.novascotia.ca/nse/petroleum-domestic/
Solid Waste: Garbage/Recycling/Compost is managed through your municipality. Molega Lake is in both Municipality of Lunenburg (http://www.communityrecycling.ca/ ) and Municipality of Queens
(http://www.regionofqueens.com/municipal-services/works/waste-management/overview)
Lake Property Development: Kings County has a good brochure for developing property near a lake:
Altering a Watercourse:
Anyone interested in altering a watercourse (lake, brooks, wetlands, etc.) are required to have an Approval. This includes development such as bridges, culverts, wharves, water supply lines, infilling etc.:
http://www.novascotia.ca/nse/watercourse-alteration/
Also keep in mind that if sediment is caused to be released into a watercourse this is considered under “Release of Substance” under the Environment Act and the violator is subject to fines and/or other enforcement action. So regardless of whether a direct alteration to a watercourse occurs, indirect damage still falls under the Act, e.g. sediment/contaminants that run off a driveway into the lake.