Applying Manitoba's Water Policies - Government of Manitoba

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Applying the PoliciesUse & AllocationPOLICY 3.3Groundwater development and utilization shall be managed so that the long term sustainabilityof aquifers is achieved and existing uses are not negatively impacted.BackgroundAbout 25 percent of all Manitobans use groundwateras their primary source of domestic water supply.Groundwater is also important for various industrialuses, irrigation, and for agricultural uses such asstock watering. In addition to direct human uses,groundwater provides substantial natural benefits suchas replenishing streamflow and water supplies to wetlands,lakes, and other waterbodies.Not all parts of the province have an adequatesupply of good quality groundwater. In some areasthe supplies are poor, due either to quality or quantitylimitations. In addition to natural limitations, the valuesof our groundwater resources can be seriouslyaffected by overdraft and by contamination, bothcaused by human activities.Overdrafting occurs when water is drawn out ofan aquifer faster than nature can replenish it. Themost obvious problem is the effect that overdraft hason critical water supplies and priority water uses.Overdraft can also cause serious quality-related problems,such as saltwater intrusion or shifting of thefreshwater-saltwater boundary.Contamination occurs when undesirable substancesenter our groundwater system. Contaminationcan render groundwater unsuitable for various usesand can adversely affect water quality in wetlands,streams, and lakes into which groundwater discharges.Typical point sources of contamination include faultyseptic systems, chemical and petroleum leaks andspills, livestock feedlots, leaking sewer lines, andmunicipal landfills. Familiar non-point or diffusesource contaminants include fertilizers and pesticides.The incidence of aquifer contamination is increasingas development increases and as the number and volumeof toxic substances used by society increase.Because groundwater contamination is so difficultand costly to clean up, and because it takes such along time before the affected aquifer can be usedagain, prevention is the most practical solution.Regulation alone cannot prevent groundwater contamination;the most important tools are education andadequate information.Intent1. To ensure the sustained quality and quantity ofwater in aquifers to meet the needs of present andfuture generations.2. To ensure that proposed groundwater uses tonot negatively affect existing and potential higherpriority uses.Application1. The Government of Manitoba will:• establish water quality objectives for all groundwateruses and apply these objectives to specificaquifers.• maintain a comprehensive aquifer data base.• evaluate aquifers to define their location anddimensions, water table, flow dynamics, waterquality, yield, pollution hazard areas, and interrelationshipswith other aquifers, wetlands, andstreamflow.34
Applying the PoliciesUse & Allocation• monitor changes in aquifer level and groundwaterquality.• monitor and regulate groundwater use:- to ensure that withdrawals do not exceed the sustainableyield of the aquifer, and- to support aquifer management guidelines andpriorities established through the basin, watershed,and aquifer planning processes.• undertake appropriate incentives, promotion andregulation to support groundwater allocation decisionsand the protection and wise use of groundwater.• protect aquifer quality by guiding and regulatingland use activities in sensitive recharge areas andpollution hazard areas.• protect aquifers by promotional, informational, andregulatory initiatives to guide drilling contractors inwell design and construction, and to guide landdevelopers in planning groundwater development.• support research and enhance public awarenessconcerning the effects of non-point source pollutionon groundwater quality and human health.• promote, plan, and control local development tosupport the protection of groundwater quality andthe sustainable yield of aquifers.• incorporate appropriate pricing systems for waterfrom municipal or community groundwater suppliesto encourage wise use and conservation of water.3. Landowners, corporations, industry, and allother groundwater consumers can:• ensure that well construction is in accordance withstandards and guidelines provided in legislation andas specified by provincial authorities.• ensure that development is undertaken in accordancewith legislation and the guidelines developedby provincial and local authorities.• adopt appropriate land and water managementpractices to protect the integrity of aquifers.• adopt appropriate water conservation measures toensure that groundwater withdrawals do not exceedthe recharge capability of aquifers.• explore and promote suitable alternative farm managementtechnology and land use practices whereexisting farming technology and practices may harmgroundwater quality.• promote conservation of groundwater, through informationaland water pricing initiatives, particularlyin areas where the growth in the rate of use threatensto exceed the sustainable yield of aquifers.2. Local authorities can:• maintain effective liaison with the provincial governmentto ensure that aquifer conditions and developmentconstraints and guidelines are adequatelyunderstood.35
Page 2 and 3: CONTENTSINTRODUCTION ..............
Page 5: 5. FloodingTo alleviate human suffe
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Page 21 and 22: Applying the PoliciesConservationOv
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Page 67 and 68: Applying the PoliciesDrainagePOLICY
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THE MANITOBA WATER POLICIES1. Water
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Applying Manitoba's Water Policies - Government of Manitoba

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