Utilities: Ground and Surface Water

Natural Gas Rates Ground & Surface Water Water Rates Wpg.

Manitoba has a number of large aquifers which can provide significant supplies of low-cost, high quality groundwater. The largest of these is the Carbonate Aquifer. Maps of Manitoba’s aquifers can be seen at the Manitoba Water Stewardship website.

The high quality of Manitoba’s groundwater is demonstrated by the presence in Manitoba of the distillery where Diageo North America produces its premium Crown Royal Canadian Whisky for the world market.

In addition to groundwater sources, Manitoba has abundant supplies of surface water (lakes/rivers). Surface water represents approximately 16% of Manitoba’s surface area.

The withdrawal of water from an aquifer through a groundwater well or from surface water through an intake requires a Water Rights License pursuant to The Water Rights Act when water usage exceeds 25,000 L/day (5500 Imperial gallons/day).

For additional information:

The Water Branch – Water Licensing:

• www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/licensing/index.html

The Water Rights Act:

• web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/w080e.php