Water Withdrawal Regulations.

The Regulations provide the discipline for groundwater exploration permit and water withdraw permit. Regulation 2 establishes that for the purpose of section 48 of the Water Act 2017 c.17 (R.S.P.E.I. 1988) (The Act), a person may undertake the drilling, construction or reconstruction of a high capacity well or a well that supplies or is designed to supply water to a water supply system, if the person holds a groundwater exploration permit. Regulation 3 establishes that no person shall withdraw water from a well, watercourse or wetland for the purpose of supplying water to a water supply system unless the person holds a water withdrawal permit. The water withdrawal permit discipline include provisions on rate of withdrawal from multiple sources; exception if the water is windrowed from a geothermal well, or for fire suppression or certain uses.
The Regulation establishes that the Minister in issuing groundwater and water withdrawal license must be satisfied that activity will not have an unacceptable adverse effect; and is consistent with the policies and objectives of the Minister with respect to managing and conserving water resources in the watershed in which the well is or is to be located. Factors to be considered for determining unacceptable adverse effect are also listed.