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Conservation Districts Review
In early 2008, the Manitoba Government began re-designing the Conservation Districts program. A Conservation District (CD) is a group of neighboring rural municipalities (RMs) working in partnership with the Province of Manitoba to develop programs to effectively manage the water resources of their area. CD boundaries were originally based on administrative boundaries but are in the process of being adjusted to better reflect watershed boundaries.Currently, there are 18 Conservation Districts in Manitoba covering over 60% of Agro-Manitoba, all in municipal Manitoba. Visit the Manitoba Water Stewardship webpage for Conservation Districts Visit the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association website The public was invited to comment on a draft framework that includes proposed new objectives for the program and a new funding framework. The funding and creation of watershed management plans is one of the issues addressed in the CD Framework Discussion Document.  Download the November 2007 Conservation Districts document, Conservation Districts Program Framework for the Future DiscussionManitoba Wildlands submitted comments on the CD Framework Discussion Document for the March 7, 2008 deadline. Download Manitoba Wildlands March 7, 2008 letter to Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick (PDF)Source: Manitoba Water Stewardship
Manitoba Water Council
The Manitoba Water Council is an advisory board to co-ordinate and oversee the work of provincial water advisory bodies. An initiative under the Water Protection Act; Manitoba Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick announced the mandate and membership of the Manitoba Water Council March 15, 2007.The Council's mandate includes providing advice to government, stakeholders and the public on water-related issues such as drainage, and flood and drought protection policies and standards. The council will also monitor watershed management plans and review regulations related to water quality management zones. Former deputy premier, cabinet minister and professor of history (University of Manitoba), Jean Friesen, chairs the Council. Members include a member of Norway House First Nation, vice-president of Manitoba Conservation Districts Association, a Manitoba farmer, the executive director of Manitoba Eco Network, a research expert in wetland management and watershed management, and chairs of both Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba Stewardship Boards. Manitoba Wildlands director Gaile Whelan Enns comments, "This Council will need to be transparent in its activity, and encourage public access to information for watershed planning in the province. We look forward to viewing the Council's online resources and records." View the March 15, 2007 Government of Manitoba press release Download the listing of members of the Manitoba Water Council (DOC)Source: Government of Manitoba
Manitoba Water Strategy In 1989, the Government of Manitoba began a process to develop water policies and in 1990, it released the document entitled Applying Manitoba's Water Policies. These policies were used again for the review that led to the Manitoba Water Strategy 2003. In April 2003, the Government of Manitoba released the Manitoba Water Strategy following a 2-year process led by a government-appointed Steering Committee and multi-stakeholder Advisory Committee. The process followed the release of the government-drafted October 2001 discussion paper entitled Water: A Proposed Strategic Plan for Manitoba. The Manitoba Water Strategy 2004 can be viewed by visiting the Water Branch website. Further information is available through the Manitoba public registry system (File No. 4705.00). View the April 21, 2003 Manitoba Government news release View or download the Steering Committee report Manitoba Wildlands has reviewed the documents in the lead-up to Manitoba's Water Strategy. Download Summary
Comparison: Manitoba Water Strategy Documents (PDF)View Manitoba's Water Strategy COSDI ReportIn June 1999, the Manitoba Government released the Report of the Consultation on Sustainable Development Implementation (COSDI). Among other recommendations, the report calls for integrated large are planning based on watershed boundaries. The Government of Manitoba formally endorsed this report and adopted its recommendations as government policy in July 2000.Manitoba Department of Water StewardshipThe Manitoba Department of Water Stewardship was created in November 2003 and comprised of water-related sub departments/branches from Manitoba Conservation such as the Water Branch, the Office of Drinking Water, and the Fisheries Branch. Water-related entities such as the Manitoba Water Services Board, The Winnipeg Floodway Authority, and the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board are also part of this department.According to the Manitoba Government website, the Water Stewardship Department was created "to ensure that [Manitoba's] water resources are managed in a coordinated way that promotes sustainable economic development while protecting these vital resources for future generations." View the November 4, 2003 Manitoba Government press release In March 2004, the department released draft legislation for the proposed Water Protection Act. Please see 'Water Quality & Protection' (below) for more information. Manitoba Wildlands is providing links to various public presentations made by Manitoba Water Stewardship staff and Minister, for research purposes. Download December 11, 2006 Manitoba Water Stewardship, Integrated Watershed Management Planning in Manitoba (PDF)Download November 4, 2005 Manitoba Water Stewardship, Water Planning in Manitoba (PDF)Download May 10, 2005 Manitoba Water Stewardship, Wetland Policy and Mitigation in Manitoba (PDF)Water Quality & Protection
On April 20, 2000, the Government of Manitoba released a draft discussion paper in a new process to revise the existing Manitoba Surface Water Quality Objectives. The process aims to develop Manitoba Water Quality Standards, Objectives, and Guidelines. Following a round of public comments, the government released a second draft on February 1, 2001. Following a second round of public comments, the government released a Final Draft on November 22, 2002 and initiated a third round of public comments. The process remains at the Final Draft stage. Copies of each draft including public comments at each round can be viewed at any of the public registry locations (File No. 4519.00).View the November 22, 2002 Final Draft of the Manitoba Water Quality Standards, Objectives, and Guidelines Nutrient Management StrategyIn April 2000, the Government of Manitoba began a process to develop a Nutrient Management Strategy. Further information can be viewed at any of the public registry locations (File No. 4518.00).Download the Draft Nutrient Management Strategy 2000 (PDF)In March 2001, the Clean Environment Commission (CEC) was asked by the Minister of Conservation to recommend a public consultation process to ensure effective public input into the development of a Nutrient Management Strategy. Download the November 2002 CEC report Nutrient Management Strategy - Public Consultation - A Proposal (PDF)A December 2001 trends report and a November 2002 technical report on nutrient management issues have also been produced by Manitoba Conservation. Download the report: Long-Term Trends in Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus Concentrations in Manitoba Streams (PDF)Download the report: A Preliminary Estimate of Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus Loading to Streams in Manitoba, Canada (PDF) Public consultations and the development of a final Nutrient Management Strategy have yet to take place as of November 2004. In October 2000, the Government of Manitoba announced the start of a 3-year Assiniboine River Study. The study is ongoing. This is part of a decade long sequence of Assiniboine River Studies. Download the Assiniboine River Study (PDF) |
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Water Quantity & Use
In the winter of 1997, the Government of Manitoba initiated public consultations on drainage and issued a 1998 report entitled Land Drainage Review: Summary and Recommendations.In December 1998, the Government of Manitoba initiated public consultations on water use and allocation and issued a January 2000 report entitled Water Use and Allocation: Summary and Conclusions. Download the Water Use and Allocation: Summary and Conclusions Report (PDF)Water Resources Conservation and Protection Act
In the year 2000, the Government of Manitoba enacted legislation banning bulk water removal from the province.View the Water Resources Conservation and Protection Act Shoal Lake Watershed ManagementOn August 22, 2001, the Shoal Lake Watershed Working Group released a document entitled Shoal Lake Watershed Management Plan: Recommended Strategies & Actions for Maintaining Ecological Integrity & Environmental Quality, Sustaining Watershed Communities & Resources, and Guiding Future Development. Shoal Lake, located primarily in the traditional territories of a number of First Nations in Ontario, is the source of the City of Winnipeg's water supply.Drinking WaterIn 2002, the Government of Manitoba enacted the Drinking Water Safety Act and established the Office of Drinking Water. These measures followed the establishment of the Drinking Water Advisory Committee (June 2000) and a report recommending improvements in tracking and reporting to ensure the safety of Manitoba's drinking water supplies (November 2000).Visit the Office of Drinking Water webpage View the Drinking Water Safety Act New regulations under the Drinking Water Safety Act came into effect March 1, 2007 that establish water-quality standards, including bacterial and microbial levels, to be met by public and semi-public water systems. Other areas covered by the new regulations include construction and alteration of water-supply facilities and protocols on reporting of laboratory results. The new regulations address the terms and conditions for operating a water-supply system and define responsibilities for water-system owners and operators The regulations also call for mandatory testing and record keeping for such water systems. 
The new regulations also require water utilities serving 1,000 or more people to issue an annual report for accountability to their customers.According to Minister of Water Stewardship, Christine Melnick, the Government of Manitoba, through the Drinking Water Safety Act regulations and other initiatives, has now addressed nearly all of the 29 recommendations of the November 2000 Drinking Water Advisory Committee report. View the March 1, 2007 Government of Manitoba press release Download the February 28, 2007 Manitoba Government Drinking Water Safety Regulation (PDF)Download the February 28, 2007 Manitoba Government Drinking Water Quality Standards Regulation (PDF)Boil Water Orders
Boil orders for drinking water are frequent in Manitoba. Spring run-off can affect wells. Inspection and reporting standards have been updated. Safe drinking water is often at risk for First Nation and Aboriginal communities in northern Manitoba. Often jurisdictional confusion between Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Manitoba cause delays and risk to human health when water borne illness presents itself in these communities.Visit the Manitoba Government Office of Drinking Water website Download November 13, 2007 Manitoba Boil Water Advisories (PDF)View The Water Chronicles - Water Advisories for Manitoba Manitoba Water Quality HandbookThe Manitoba Water Quality Handbook is a Department of Water Stewardship product written for cottage associations, river stewardship organizations, conservation districts, environmental organizations, waterfront residents, and other Manitobans interested in keeping our water clean.The Handbook has four sections:
View the Manitoba Water Quality Handbook Manitoba Water DirectoryManitoba Water Stewardship publishes the Manitoba Water Directory. This is a listing of organizations with an interest in water stewardship.View the Manitoba Water Directory Manitoba Clean Water Guide
The Manitoba Water Stewardship recently introduced the new publication Clean Water. For me. For you. Forever. A hands-on guide to keeping Manitoba's water clean and healthy, otherwise known as the Clean Water Guide.According to the publication, the guide outlines practical things all citizens can do in their homes, yards, cottages and when camping, to preserve and protect Manitoba's water. It contains basic information, defining watersheds and water flows, riparian areas and outlines the importance of wetlands. It also describes the importance and various uses of water in our daily lives, as well as some of the threats to water that exist in our province. Two pages of the publication list actions that individual citizens can take to reduce water consumption and protect the quality of water. View the Clean Water Guide |
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2002-2008