Water Stewardship Division
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Regulatory Information - Approval Requirements
Permits to Construct or Alter:
Approval is required for the construction or alteration of a public water system or a semi-public water system as defined in Section 1 of The Drinking Water Safety Act. Section 7 of The Act requires that a water system owner or project proponent obtain a permit before starting construction of a new public or semi-public water system, or making major alterations to an existing system. Issuance of a permit is not required for minor alterations to a water system. The permit specifies terms and conditions for project implementation.
The Office of Drinking Water has prepared an information bulletin that provides guidance on the permit process including what constitutes a major alteration.
Permit Process Information Bulletin
Permit application requirements are outlined in the Drinking Water Safety Regulation MR 40/2007 available on the Acts & Regulations page.
Permit application forms are available on the Forms page. The permit application forms include a checklist of supporting information that must be submitted with the application to meet the requirements of Subsection 3(1) of the Drinking Water Safety Regulation.
Water System Assessments:
Section 9 of The Drinking Water Safety Act requires periodic, third-party assessments of public and semi-public water systems. The assessment considers the condition and adequacy of the water system's infrastructure (supply, treatment, storage, distribution), and the quality and vulnerability of the water source and treated water. Terms of reference along with report submission forms have been developed for public water system assessments and semi-public water system assessments
- 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 Recommendations on Selection of an Engineer for a Water System Assessment document contains information that may assist a water system owner in selecting a qualified engineer to undertake an assessment or other water system work.
The Office of Drinking Water has developed an information bulletin with advice for owners and operators on Preparing for a Public Water System Assessment.
Water system owners are notified by the Office of Drinking Water of the assessment deadline for their water system.
Review Criteria
The Office of Drinking Water applies the Recommended Standards for Water Works (commonly known as The Ten State Standards), American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards and best practices. Backflow prevention should be done in accordance with the Manitoba Plumbing Code and CSA B64.10-01 Manual for the Selection and Installation of Backflow Prevention Devices, and the Western Canada Section (WCS) AWWA Cross Connection Control Manual. We look for NSF certification of potable water chemicals, components and treatment units. With respect to water quality standards and 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:
Information on the NSF certification program is available through the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) web site:
A summary of the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality is available through Health Canada's web site:
The Office of Drinking Water has produced a manual to assist water system owners, consultants and operators in the selection, design and operation of disinfection systems including chlorine, UV light, ozone, chloramines and chlorine dioxide. The manual also provides guidance on approval requirements for disinfection projects.
- Chlorine and Alternative Disinfectants Guidance Manual PDF format : 117 pages / 1.3mb
The Office of Drinking Water has prepared guidelines to assist water system owners, consultants and operators in determining log removal or inactivation credits for filtration or disinfection systems. These guidelines should be applied to the design, upgrading and assessment of water treatment systems
- Filtration and Disinfection Log Reduction Credits PDF format : 4 pages / 42kb
Wastewater Collection System Projects:
Until January, 2011, the Office of Drinking Water, on behalf of Manitoba Health, undertook engineering reviews of wastewater collection system projects. Regulations under The Public Health Act require provincial approval prior to constructing a new wastewater collection system or making alterations to an existing wastewater collection system. As of January 1, 2011, Manitoba Conservation, Environmental Assessment and Licensing Branch, has taken over responsibility for this process. Information on the approval process is available on their web site:
If a project involves both water and wastewater system components, approval via a permit application is required through the Office of Drinking Water for the water system components (noting separation distances from wastewater system components), and approval through Manitoba Conservation for the wastewater system components.
Other Provincial Project Approval Considerations
Certain projects may require a licence pursuant to The Environment Act and the Classes of Development Regulation (164/88). Operator certification requirements for water and wastewater facilities also fall under The Environment Act.
Manitoba Conservation, Environmental Assessment and Licensing Branch:
The withdrawal of water from a groundwater aquifer through a well or from surface water through an intake may require a Water Rights License pursuant to The Water Rights Act.
Manitoba Water Stewardship, Water Licensing Section:
The Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Division administers legislation which addresses safe workplace issues including chemical storage and handling:
Manitoba Labour and Immigration, Workplace Safety and Health Division:
Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation must be contacted for provincial road or highway pipe crossings. It may also be necessary to contact railways, and other utilities.
Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation:
