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Province set to overhaul protection for wells, aquifers
In this photo from 2000, a Teulon Elementary School student drinks bottled water rather than water from the tap because of contamination of an outdoor well. The Manitoba government plans to strengthen protection for ground wells and aquifers. (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store
The Manitoba government will bring in new rules to protect the province’s ground wells and aquifers from contamination, Conservation Minister Gord Mackintosh said today.
The new rules will update legislation that hasn’t been significantly changed in about 50 years and will recognize the increase – about 1,500 new wells are drilled each year now – in geothermal heat pump installations.
Mackintosh said the changes include new certification standards for drillers and tougher rules for the sealing of wells.
The province also wants to modernize its groundwater and well database over the next two years and to properly map where wells are located. There are about 35,000 active water wells in the province.
"We know from our research that properly drilled, sealed wells and maintained wells is the greatest way to reduce the risk of contamination and harm to individual water drinkers," Mackintosh said.
The proposed changes — in legislation introduced today — are supported by the Manitoba Water Well Association (MWWA) and Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance.
Jeff Bell, president of the MWWA said the provincial changes are long overdue.
He said the biggest change is the drillers are to be certified.
"You need to be certified in this province to drive a forklift, but you don’t need to be certified to drill on modern equipment," Bell said.
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