Drinking water supply systems in Manitoba are classified into three categories for regulatory and monitoring purposes. A copy of the current listing of Manitoba communities under Water Advisory is available by the following reports:

• Public water systems are those with 15 or more service connections, or systems that have been specifically designated as such. Advisories - Public Systems (PDF Format).
• Semi-public water systems are those systems which are neither public, nor private water systems. Advisories - Semi-Public Systems (PDF Format).
• Private systems are those which supply water to only one private residence, or those systems which have been designated as such. Advisories - Area-Wide Private Wells (PDF Format).

Boil water advisories (BWA) are issued in instances where drinking water may be compromised by bacteria or micro-organisms and water users are advised not to consume the water unless it is boiled for one minute, or otherwise disinfected.

Drinking water avoidance advisories (DWAA) are issued in instances where drinking water is compromised by contaminants that cannot be killed or removed by boiling the water. Water users are asked to use an alternate safe source of water such as bottled water.

Water quality advisories (WQA) are issued in instances where drinking water may pose a low risk to health and water users can take actions to reduce their risk other than boiling the water.