Geographic information systems: A community planning tool for waste water management districts.

摘要

The Nova Scotia government proposes Wastewater Management Districts as reliable and affordable options for remediating failed on-site sewage disposal systems. By reviewing case studies and literature, research seeks to determine the importance of geographic information to communities considering wastewater management strategies. Geographic information systems are evaluated for their ability to effectively present data and answer questions related to rural environmental decision-making.; Geographic information is central to assessing wastewater management needs and is the basis for evaluating proposed solutions. Partnerships between government and community are needed, as are linked geographic databases among government departments. Although geographic information systems are effective in information development and are well distributed, they are not being used to their potential. Changes in power structures are required and this takes time. Participants may agree on an action, but implementation may be thwarted by lack of resources, poor public and political reaction, or a conflict with policy.