Province of Manitoba » Water Stewardship » Drinking Water » Office of Drinking Water » Operation & Monitoring

Section 20 of the Drinking Water Safety Act refers to the requirement for disinfection and record keeping for public and semi-public drinking water systems. Section 21 of the Drinking Water Safety Act refers to the requirement for routine sampling and analysis for public and semi-public water systems. Section 25 of the Drinking Water Safety Act mandates that written operational records be made and retained. Specific requirements regarding sampling, monitoring and reporting will be addressed in the forthcoming regulations.

During the transition period:

Under the Public Health Act, chlorine residual and bacteriological monitoring is required for all public water systems. The responsibilities of water system owners/operators are explained in the following document:

• Guidelines for Public Water Systems: Chlorine Residual Testing and Reporting, and Bacteriological Water Sampling, Submission and Interpretation.
  Guidelines for Public Water Systems (2.1 Mb PDF)

Please contact your regional Drinking Water Officer if you have any questions regarding water system monitoring.

Semi-public water system owners/operators should discuss water system monitoring with their regional Drinking Water Officer, as these systems will be regulated under the Drinking Water Safety Act.

Inspections:

Officer of Drinking Water staff carry out periodic inspections of water systems to evaluate design, operational and monitoring issues, and provide advice regarding corrective measures. Sections 27 and 28 of the Drinking Water Safety Act refer to the entry and inspection powers for provincial personnel.

Drinking water standards for public and semi-public water systems will be set out in forthcoming regulations; additional system-specific standards may also be stipulated in an operating licence. The Office of Drinking Water adopts the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality:

• http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/doc_sup-appui/sum_guide-res_recom/index_e.html

Operator certification:

The Environmental Approvals Branch of Manitoba Conservation is responsible for management of the new water and wastewater facility operators certification program. The program involves education, examination and experience requirements. New regulations have been developed pursuant to The Environment Act.

Please visit their web site for further information:

• http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/envapprovals/

Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Regulation (77/2003):

• http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/regs/pdf/e125-077.03.pdf