In this video, Nutrient Management Specialist demonstrates how he samples water from monitoring wells around manure storage systems as an early detection system and to ensure the accurate reporting in order to protect our groundwater in Manitoba, Canada:
This is an update to my previous blog You’re Invited: Celebrating Canada Water Week March 19 – 25, 2012.
As part of Canada Water Week: Celebrating and Conserving Water across Our Country, March 19 – 25, and in recognition of World Water Day on March 22, Manitoba launched a public consultation to seek the public’s input on a new Groundwater and Water Well Act because:
- the existing Ground Water and Water Well Act needs to be replaced
- more than 25 per cent of Manitobans regularly rely on groundwater
- about 1,500 water wells are drilled in Manitoba each year
- there are currently about 35,000 active water wells
- stronger legislation will be introduced this spring: Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh
The objectives of the new Groundwater and Water Well Act are to:
- “ensure the continued safety of our groundwater resources for the future”
- manage and protect groundwater
- strengthen legislation governing the drilling, construction, maintenance, and sealing of wells
- establish aquifer management plans for the management, protection, and sustainable use of aquifers
- enable the development of supporting regulations
Amendments to the legislation are being considered in the following areas:
- licensing and certification to ensure the competence of professional well drillers including geothermal drillers
- driller responsibility and liability insurance requirements that would protect landowners including protection from uncontrolled flowing wells
- better management and protection of groundwater including new reporting requirements and designation of sensitive areas,
- protection protocols for water wells in flood-prone areas
- a new process for aquifer management planning
- stronger water well drilling, construction and new sealing standards
- establishment of a groundwater and water well database
- stronger compliance and enforcement measures
- amendments will apply to water supply wells as well as geothermal, geotechnical, and monitoring wells
Since the Ground Water and Water Well Act and the accompanying Well Drilling Regulation are key pieces of legislation for the management and protection of Manitoba’s groundwater resources, the water well-drilling industry, the geothermal industry and other stakeholders will also participate in the review process to provide comments on proposed changes.
Share Your Views
Manitobans who are interested in providing input can email groundwater@gov.mb.ca or make a submission by snail mail before April 20 to:
Robert Betcher
Manager, Ground Water Management Section
Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship
Box 11, 200 Saulteaux Cres.
Winnipeg MB R3J 3W3
Phone: (204) 945-7420 in Winnipeg: toll free at 1-800-282-8069 (extension 7420 or 3991)
The information above is also available at all public registries.
Manitoba, Canada
NEWS RELEASE
March 22, 2012
CONSULTATIONS LAUNCHED ON NEW GROUNDWATER AND WATER WELL LEGISLATION
Stronger Legislation To be Introduced This Spring: Mackintosh
The province is seeking the public’s input on a new Groundwater and Water Well Act, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today, in recognition of World Water Day, first proclaimed by the United Nations in 1993.
“More than 25 per cent of Manitobans regularly rely on groundwater for a variety of uses,” said Mackintosh. “The province’s original legislation was first proclaimed almost 50 years ago. While it has had updates since then, this new act would ensure the continued safety of our groundwater resources for the future.”
Amendments to the legislation are being considered in several areas:
* licensing and certification to ensure the competence of professional well drillers including geothermal drillers;
* driller responsibility and liability insurance requirements that would protect landowners including protection from uncontrolled flowing wells;
* better management and protection of groundwater including new reporting requirements and designation of sensitive areas, protection protocols for water wells in flood-prone areas and a new process for aquifer management planning;
* stronger water well drilling, construction and new sealing standards;
* establishment of a groundwater and water well database; and
* stronger compliance and enforcement measures.
“We support the efforts of the province to address long-needed changes to the current legislation,” said Jeff Bell, president, Manitoba Water Well Association. “We look forward to actively participating in the review process and working with the province to develop new and modernized legislation.”
“Geothermal drillers are pleased to have the opportunity for input into the Groundwater and Water Well Act amendments,” said Ron Robins, president, Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance. “Geothermal drillers will continue to do their part toward preservation and protection of Manitoba’s groundwater sources.”
About 1,500 water wells are drilled in Manitoba each year. There are currently about 35,000 active water wells.
In addition to the public, the consultation will allow the water well-drilling industry, the geothermal industry and other stakeholders to review and provide comments on proposed changes.
A discussion paper and more information is available on Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship’s website at www.manitoba.ca/waterstewardship/groundwater.
Manitobans who are interested in providing input can email groundwater@gov.mb.ca or make a submission by mail before April 20 to:
Robert Betcher
Manager, Ground Water Management Section
Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship
Box 11, 200 Saulteaux Cres.
Winnipeg MB R3J 3W3
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