Province Information - Manitoba, Canada

Manitoba is home to three of Canada’s fifteen largest lakes - Lake Winnipeg, Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipegosis. There are approximately 400 public water systems in Manitoba, 45% of which rely on surface water as their source of supply, and 55% on groundwater, together servicing 80% of the population.  Groundwater is also an important resource, used for livestock watering, irrigation, industrial processing, heating, and cooling. Manitoba is undertaking a provincial water conservation initiative, WaterSmart Manitoba, to help Manitobans reduce water use today and for future generations. The initiative’s first focus is on programming for single family residential households and in time will provide programs for other water use sectors such as agriculture, municipal and commercial. Manitoba is currently in the process of developing a comprehensive Water Efficiency Strategy which will build and expand on current water conservation initiatives.
1. What provincial ministry, department or agencies are in charge of water conservation/efficiency?
2. Does the province require preparation of drought emergency plans by water utilities or cities on any prescribed schedule?

No.

However, Manitoba does encourage development of emergency response plans for water utilities which suggests utilities consider the potential hazards of prolonged drought.

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3. Does the province have a mandatory planning requirement for drinking water conservation separate from drought emergency plans?

No
Additional Information:
There are no mandatory planning requirements in Manitoba, but water conservation is considered in infrastructure funding priorities.  Although not a strict requirement, including conservation measures in infrastructure funding requests ensures that these projects are noted as higher priority.

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4. Does the province require implementation of conservation measures as well as preparation of plans?
No

Additional Information:

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5. Does the province have the authority to approve or reject the conservation plans?

plan completeness?

No

satisfactory content?

No

Additional Information:

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6. Does the province have minimum water efficiency standards more stringent than federal or national requirements?
No

No, but changes are in progress.

Water efficiency standards have been proposed as amendments to the provincial plumbing code in Manitoba. Consultations were completed in the summer of 2008 with 92% of respondents agreeing with including water efficiency standards for toilets and faucets in new homes. See the consultation report here. 

There are two Sub-Committees (Part 9 and Part 3 of the Manitoba Building Code) working on specific water recommendations stemming from the Consultation process.  The water recommendations have just been finalized and the regulatory work will soon begin.  It is hoped that the water recommendations will be in place for early 2010.

The National Building Code of Canada and the National Plumbing Code of Canada are model Codes issued by the National Research Council of Canada. 
Upon adoption of the National Building Code, Manitoba also added some Manitoba-specific amendments. These model codes, in conjunction with the Manitoba amendments constitute the Manitoba Building and Plumbing Codes.

The National Plumbing Code is currently undergoing revisions and a proposal was made in 2008 to update the non-potable water Systems section 2.7.4 to include design requirements in accordance with CSA B128.1 and to limit use of non-potable water to water closets, urinals, and directly connected underground irrigation systems.

The 2006 Manitoba Plumbing Code does not explicitly mandate the use of water efficient fixtures– instead it references the ASME A112.18.1-2005 / CSA B125.1-2005 standards which dictate maximum flush volumes of 13.2 litres, maximum flow rates of 8.3 litres per minute (Lpm) for lavatory and kitchen faucets, and 9.5 Lpm for showerheads.  The Manitoba Plumbing Code does not permit non-potable sources to be connected to a potable water system. The outlet from a non-potable water system shall not be located where it can discharge into (a) a sink or lavatory, (b) a fixture into which an outlet from a potable water system is discharged, or (c) a fixture that is used for the preparation ,handling, or dispensing of food, drink, or products that are intended for human consumption.

7. Does the province regulate drinking water supplies and require conservation as part of its permitting process or water right permit?
Yes

The Water Licensing Branch of Manitoba Water Stewardship has the responsibility for allocating the use of water resources within the province. The legislative mechanism for ensuring that water resources are allocated in the best possible manner is The Water Rights Act. 

The Drinking Water Safety Act is intended to establish the standards for the design, construction, and operation of public and semi-public drinking water systems in Manitoba.  The Office of Drinking water is responsible for coordinating the activities of the province’s drinking water program under this Act. 

Manitoba does not require conservation as part of its permitting process or licensing process.


8. Does the province support water conservation under its Drinking Water or Wastewater infrastructure funding programs?

Drinking Water?

No

Waste Water?

No

Additional Information:

No, with the exception of metering.

Canada does not have a revolving fund for infrastructure loans. Federally, the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) provides grants for up to 50% of project costs, or below-market, low interest loans of up to 80% of project costs. FCM is an advocacy organization; however the Government of Canada endowed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) with $550 million to establish the GMF program. 
 
The GMF has funded conservation projects in the past that included feasibility studies of water conservation programs, water distribution system leak detection and control projects, plumbing retrofit programs, wastewater recycling, and sustainable community plans involving water conservation. At this time, the funding focus is on wastewater.

Manitoba has dedicated $12M a year to funding drinking water and waste water projects.  The funding is administered by the Manitoba Water Services Board.  These funds are used to leverage municipal and federal infrastructure funding for drinking water and wastewater projects, primarily through mechanisms such as the Building Canada fund.

The Building Canada plan is the primary mechanism in Canada for funding water and wastewater infrastructure, and encompasses a number of funds including provincial and municipal base funding, gas tax funds, and the Building Canada fund. Over half of the funding under the Building Canada plan is provided as base funding to municipalities, and the funds are generally administered by the provinces. The Building Canada fund promotes long-term funding of water infrastructure projects, including projects designed to improve conservation of water. Funding focuses on improved treatment standards that emphasize the protection of human health. The projects are required to be supported by measures that improve the management of sources of drinking water, reduce demand, and improve the management of drinking water infrastructure.

All projects are cost shared, generally in equal thirds between federal/provincial/municipal governments. The Building Canada fund operates through two components: the Major Infrastructure Component (MIC) that targets large strategic projects of national and regional significance, and the Communities Component that focuses on projects in communities with populations of less than 100,000.

To date, funded projects have focused on centralized infrastructure as opposed to conservation efforts, with the exception of metering. Capital cost funding projects must result in a tangible capital asset. Planning costs are also eligible, which could potentially support the development of water conservation plans.


9. Does the province offer other financial assistance? Environmental grants? Rebates? Tax Exemptions?

Yes.

The Water Stewardship Fund offered through the Ministry of Water Stewardship supports projects that promote and enable efficient use of water (a - conserve and reduce water use (key priority of WSF is to conserve and reduce water use). Governments, businesses, educational institutions and others can all apply for these funds. Funding up to $25,000 is available.

Toilet Rebates:  Effective January 1, 2009, the Province of Manitoba partnered with Manitoba Hydro to expand their Power Smart Loan Program to include low-flush toilets as one of the eligible products for a loan. Households participating in the ecoEnergy program that replace an inefficient toilet with an approved toilet that flushes with no more than 6 litres may be eligible for a $50 per unit rebate from the Federal ecoENERGY program matched by the province.

The Province of Manitoba also delivers a Lower Income Energy and Water Efficiency Program to help reduce the utility costs of lower income households.  This program is currently being offered as a partnership between various government departments, local community organizations, and Manitoba Hydro.

10. Does the province offer direct or indirect technical assistance to the public?

Yes.

The Office of Drinking Water for the Department of Water Stewardship offers advice and technical assistance to the public regarding drinking water and conservation including water conservation tips and facts on Manitoba Water Stewardship’s website and as part of the Water Protection Handbook.

Through the Integrated Watershed Management Planning process, the Department of Water Stewardship along with Conservation Districts provides technical information to Manitobans on water conservation at the local watershed level.

11. Does the province provide provincial ET microclimate information?
No.
12. Does the province have a water conservation and efficiency strategy?
No


Additional Information:
No (but under development)

13. Does the province have standards for alternative water sources?
No



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