Province of Manitoba » Water Stewardship » Drinking Water » Office of Drinking Water » Approval Requirements
Approval requirements will change as the Drinking Water Safety Act is enforced. A permit will be required for the construction or alteration of a public or a semi-public water system, and a licence will be required for the operation of a public or semi-public water system.
Owners and operators of semi-public water systems are encouraged to contact this Office regarding water system construction or upgrading plans.
The Office of Drinking Water applies the Recommended Standards for Water Works (commonly known as The Ten State Standards) developed by the Great Lakes - Upper Mississippi River Board of State and Provincial Public Health and Environmental Managers for water system design, AWWA standards, and best practices. Backflow prevention should be done in accordance with the WCS AWWA Cross Connection Control Manual or CSA B64.10-01 Manual for the Selection and Installation of Backflow Prevention Devices. We look for NSF certification for water chemicals and components. With respect to water quality goals, the Office of Drinking Water adopts Health Canada's Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.
Section 7 of the Drinking Water Safety Act sets out the requirement for public and semi-public water systems to obtain a permit prior to the commencement of construction or alteration of a water system. The permit may contain terms or conditions for project implementation. Specific requirements for such submissions will be addressed in the forthcoming regulations.
Section 8 of the Drinking Water Safety Act sets out the requirements for public and semi-public water systems to obtain an operating licence in order to operate their water system. The operating licence may contain terms and conditions for system operation such as monitoring and reporting. Specific requirements for such submissions will be addressed in the forthcoming regulations.
Section 9 of the Drinking Water Safety Act sets out the requirements for periodic, third party assessments of public and semi-public water systems. The assessment considers the condition and adequacy of the water system infrastructure (e.g., water treatment equipment, reservoir, distribution system), and examines the quality and vulnerability of the water source. Guideline documents and submission forms have been developed for public water system assessments and semi-public water system assessments. Additional requirements for water system assessments will be addressed in forthcoming regulations. Water system owners will be notified by the Office of Drinking Water of assessment deadlines for their water system.
- Terms of Reference for Assessment of Water System Infrastructure and Water Supply Sources for Public Water Systems PDF format : 14 pages / 240kb
- Terms of Reference for Assessment of Water System Infrastructure and Water Supply Sources for Semi-Public Water Systems PDF format : 13 pages / 226kb
The Office of Drinking Water, on behalf of Manitoba Health, administers the portions of the Public Health Act related to the approval of new or altered wastewater (sewer) collection systems, and water supply, water conveyance, water treatment and water distribution systems.
Under the current regulatory system, the following information should be provided for review prior to the construction/alteration of a public water system:
- A set of stamped engineering design plans,
- A set of construction specifications, and
- A design brief which includes a project description, schedule and location map.
Additional information is requested if required to complete the review. The focus of the review is on public health related concerns. If all public health concerns appear to have been addressed, a Certificate of Approval for construction and operation is issued for the proposed works.
Owners and operators of semi-public water systems are encouraged to submit system designs or alterations for review by this Office.
The Office of Drinking Water applies the Recommended Standards for Water Works (commonly known as The Ten State Standards) developed by the Great Lakes – Upper Mississippi River Board of State and Provincial Public Health and Environmental Managers for water system design, AWWA standards, and best practices. Backflow prevention should be done in accordance with the WCS AWWA Cross Connection Control Manual or CSA B64.10-01 Manual for the Selection and Installation of Backflow Prevention Devices. We look for NSF certification for water chemicals and treatment units. With respect to water quality goals, the Office of Drinking Water adopts Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.
The Ten State Standards are available from Health Education Services:
AWWA Standards are available through the AWWA web site:
The NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) certifies drinking water chemicals and treatment units:
A summary of the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality is available through Health Canada:
Under existing and proposed drinking water regulations, approval is required for the construction, alteration of upgrading of water treatment and disinfection systems. Special approval is required for the use of an alternative to chlorine disinfection. The Office of Drinking Water has produced a guidance manual to assist water system owners, consultants and operators in the selection, design and operation of water disinfection systems including chlorine, ultraviolet light (UV), ozone, monochloramine, and chlorine dioxide. The manual provides guidance on the regulatory approval process and requirements for disinfection system projects.
- Chlorine and Alternative Disinfectants Guidance Manual PDF format : 117 pages / 1.3 mb
In addition to Public Health Act or Drinking Water Safety Act approval, certain projects may require a licence pursuant to The Environment Act and the Classes of Development Regulation (164/88). The types of project that may be involved include sewage lagoons, wastewater treatment plants, water impoundments, and water treatment plants which will be discharging wastewater to a surface water system.
http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/regs/pdf/e125-164.88.pdf
The withdrawal of water from an aquifer through a groundwater well or from a surface water through an intake requires a Water Rights Licence pursuant to The Water Rights Act when water usage exceeds 25,000 L/day (5500 Imperial gallons/day).
Infrastructure and Operations Divison, Water Licensing Section:
The Water Rights Act:
Environmental Approvals Branch
Environmental regulations in drinking systems.
The Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Division has guidelines and bulletins which address safe workplace issues including chemical storage and eyewash station design:
Manitoba Transportation & Government Services must be contacted for provincial road or highway pipe crossings. It may also be necessary to contact railways, and other utilities.
Federal guidelines are available regarding the design of fish screens on surface water intake structures: