Public Information - Water System Data

Drinking water systems in Manitoba are classified into three (3) categories for regulatory and monitoring purposes:

• Public water systems are those systems with 15 or more service connections, or those that have been designated as such.
• Semi-public water systems are those systems which are not public water systems or private water systems.
• Private systems are those which supply water to only one private residence, or those which have been designed as such.

There are approximately 400 public water systems in Manitoba, 45% of which rely on surface water as their source of supply, and 55% on groundwater. Approximately 80% of the population of Manitoba are serviced by public water systems. Surface water is the source of drinking water for 85% of public water system customers. The major population centers of the province rely on surface water sources. There are a growing number of regional water supply systems servicing rural areas. Semi-public water systems are currently being inventoried. An initial estimate is that there are approximately 1,500 semi-public and 35,000 private water systems in Manitoba.

Public water systems have been regulated under the Manitoba Public Health Act. Public water supplies are tested for bacteriological and chemical quality. Both public and semi-public water systems will be required to meet certain design, operational and monitoring requirements under the new Drinking Water Safety Act. A mandatory certification program has been established for operators of water and wastewater systems in Manitoba to ensure they have the training they need to operate these systems. The construction, operation and monitoring of private water systems remain the responsibility of the system owner. Regional Drinking Water Officers are available to provide technical assistance to water system owners and operators.

Drinking water systems at federal facilities or on federal lands such as military bases and national parks, and drinking water systems serving First Nations communities fall under federal legislation and the federal drinking water program. Additional information on drinking water systems in First Nations communities is available at the following website: http://www.sdw-eps.gc.ca/.