Public Information - Water Well Info

A series of well water fact sheets are available through the Manitoba Health web site, and include procedures for testing and disinfecting private wells.

• http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cmoh/water.html

In addition, guidelines are available for the upgrading and abandoning of water wells.

• Guidelines for upgrading water wells (PDF Format)
• Pitless adapter for submersible pumps (PDF Format)
• Guide for Sealing Abandoned Water Wells in Manitoba (PDF Format)

Manitoba Private Drinking Water Supplies - Bacteriological Subsidy Program

Approximately 15% of Manitobans rely on private water supplies for their source of drinking water. The vast majority of private water systems are comprised of wells and cisterns. A small percentage of the private systems rely on surface waters (e.g. dugouts or reservoirs) as the water source and apply treatment processes to make the water suitable for consumptive purposes.

Regardless of the type of private water system, routine testing for the presence of microbiological contaminants is recommended. For wells or cisterns, the minimum recommended sampling frequency is once per year. Preferably, the sample should be taken when the system is most vulnerable to contamination e.g. during spring melt or following a period of heavy rainfall. Additional testing should be conducted if the well or cistern has been affected by flooding or if there is a noticeable change in the water's taste, colour, odour, or clarity.

Surface water sources require more frequent sampling than wells or cisterns because they are generally more vulnerable to contamination. The recommended frequency of sampling is dependent on the characteristics of the source water and the treatment processes being applied. If you own a private water system that relies on surface water as the water source, contact your local Drinking Water Officer to establish a suitable sampling frequency.

To encourage sampling of private water systems, the Province of Manitoba subsidizes the analysis costs associated with one bacteriological sample per year. The current cost to homeowners for the testing is $8.03. In the event that the analysis indicates that the water sample is contaminated, the province covers 100% of the analytical cost for an additional sample (re-sample) to confirm the initial sample results. Homeowners are responsible for any costs associated with transporting the samples to the lab.

Province of Manitoba has contracted with CANTEST Ltd. for its Bacteriological Subsidy Program. Contact the laboratory directly for sample containers, instructions for collecting samples, and the form that must accompany the sample. The laboratory also has copies of Manitoba's Well Water Fact Sheets that include information and advice on drinking water testing.

CANTEST Ltd.
Unit D, 675 Berry Street
Winnipeg MB
Canada R3H 1A7
Phone: +1 (204) 772 7276
Toll Free: +1 (800) 665 8566
Fax: +1 (204) 772 2386

If you have any questions, please contact your local Drinking Water Officer, the Manitoba Office of Drinking Water at 204-945-5762, or Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll free at 1-888-315-9257.