<strong>Applying</strong> the <strong>Policies</strong><strong>Water</strong> QualityPOLICY 1.1The “<strong>Manitoba</strong> Surface <strong>Water</strong> Quality Objectives” shall be adopted and implemented to protectwater uses for <strong>Manitoba</strong>ns.BackgroundThe “<strong>Manitoba</strong> Surface <strong>Water</strong> QualityObjectives” define minimum levels <strong>of</strong> quality for thelong term protection <strong>of</strong> water uses. These levels <strong>of</strong>quality specify acceptable concentrations <strong>of</strong> variousdissolved and suspended substances, as well, theydescribe other desirable or required characteristics.The “<strong>Manitoba</strong> Surface <strong>Water</strong> Quality Objectives” aredeveloped through a consultative process involvingvarious levels <strong>of</strong> government, industries, the scientificcommunity, and the public.“<strong>Water</strong>shed Classification” allows present andfuture water uses within a watershed to be identified.A public consultation process is used to determine theunique water uses, desires <strong>of</strong> local residents, existingwater quality problems, and other issues within watersheds.<strong>Water</strong> uses in the watershed are then designated,along with “<strong>Manitoba</strong> Surface <strong>Water</strong> QualityObjectives” necessary to protect these uses.The surface water quality objectives are used as abaseline for developing the legally enforceable limitsspecified in licences issued under The EnvironmentAct. These limits are applied toward controlling pollutionfrom point source discharges. The objectives canalso be used to develop strategies to reduce pollutantloadings from non-point sources.IntentTo establish and use physical, chemical, and biologicalcriteria for defining safe or acceptable levels<strong>of</strong> water quality for various water uses andecosystem needs.Application1. The <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Manitoba</strong> will:• adopt and refine, through consultation with a widespectrum <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and scientists and withextensive public involvement, surface water qualityobjectives which describe the required chemical,physical, and biological properties <strong>of</strong> surface waterto ensure its acceptability for various uses.• similarly establish or adopt, and implement, waterquality objectives that protect groundwater for varioususes.• regularly review and revise the water quality objectivesto ensure that they reflect emerging scientificknowledge and ecological issues.• ensure that the refinement and application <strong>of</strong> thewater quality objectives are based on social, economic,environmental, and cultural considerations.• publish the water quality objectives, promote theiruse by the public, and assist the public in interpretingand applying them.• use the water quality objectives to guide planning,design, and implementation <strong>of</strong> water managementprojects and activities that affect water quality.• use the water quality objectives to assist in developinglong term water quality protection strategiesand management plans for waterbodies or entirewatersheds.• use the water quality objectives in conjunction withlicensing and other regulatory procedures, asrequired, to ensure that developments, activities, oroperations do not impair water quality for requiredwater uses.8
<strong>Applying</strong> the <strong>Policies</strong><strong>Water</strong> Quality• monitor existing and future water uses and quality<strong>of</strong> waterbodies to facilitate the application <strong>of</strong> thewater quality objectives.2. Local authorities, planners, developers, industry,and individuals can:• participate in public consultation processes set upfor establishing,refining, or applying the water qualityobjectives.• apply the water quality objectives to ensure thatlocal projects are planned, designed, and operatedto avoid impairing the quality <strong>of</strong> water for requiredwater uses.• use the water quality objectives, in conjunction withquality monitoring data, to determine the suitability<strong>of</strong> specific waterbodies for certain proposed uses oractivities.9