Threats to Manitoba's water

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Manitoba is fortunate to be one of the most ‘water-rich’ places on earth but many things can impact the quality of our water including our own activities.

Pollution

Both natural and human activities cause pollution which can reduce the quality of our surface water and groundwater. Natural pollutants include salts, arsenic, uranium and wildlife wastes. Human activities that cause pollution include leaking septic fields, wastewater, petroleum storage tanks, fertilizers, pesticides and livestock waste.

Nutrients

When nutrient levels in the water get too high, aquatic plant growth can get out of control and cause damage to the water. Sources of harmful levels of nutrients include human sewage, bog drainage, pet and livestock feces, agricultural, lawn and garden fertilizers, wastewater and cleaning products.

Consumption

Manitoba’s supply of fresh water is plentiful but it’s not endless. Overuse can deplete both groundwater and surface water supplies. Manitobans use an average of 223 litres of water per day and only 10% of this amount is used for cooking and drinking. The rest is flushed away in toilet water or used in showers, sinks and washing machines.

Every time we flush the toilet, we use 20 litres of water and a five-minute shower can use up to 100 litres. Our water use increases in the summer months. Activities such as watering the lawn and garden and washing the car can increase water consumption by another 50%. For instance, watering a lawn for only half an hour can use over 1,000 litres of water.

Foreign species

Our surface waters are home to many species of plants, insects and aquatic life. This environment can be delicate and easily upset. The introduction of foreign species of insects, plants, fish or other types of wildlife, can have a dramatic impact. Foreign species can be carried from one waterway to another on boat bottoms or in bait buckets.

Floods and droughts

Floods and droughts can also affect our water supplies. Droughts can deplete both surface water and groundwater. Floods can transport garbage, pollution and foreign species that can damage our surface waters.

Climate change

Climate change has the potential to seriously damage Manitoba’s water. Severe weather caused by climate change can threaten our watersheds. Even small, long-term increases in average temperature can reduce wildlife populations and permanently damage water systems.