Manitoba Drinking Water Services
Manitoba Drinking Water – Private Subsidy Program
Under the Flood Program announced on April 11th, 2011, the provincial government will fully subsidize the cost of testing private well water in flood-affected areas of Manitoba. NOTE: Manitoba Water Stewardship will be closing the 2011 Flood Program as of October 31, 2011.
Under the Manitoba Water Stewardship “Bacteriological Subsidy Program”, the Manitoba government will subsidize the cost of testing one water sample once per calendar year from every private well in the province. A private well is defined as one that supplies water to a single private household. The testing that is included in this program is for Total Coliforms and E.coli by Quanti-tray.
Approximately 15% of Manitobans rely on private water supplies for their source of drinking water. Routine testing for the presence of microbiological contaminants is recommended. Preferably, the sample should be taken when the system is most vulnerable to contamination e.g. during spring melt or following a period of heavy rainfall. Other situations where homeowners would initiate testing include:
- if the well or cistern has been affected by flooding
- if there is a noticeable change in the water’s taste, colour, odour, or clarity.
To encourage sampling of private water systems, the Province of Manitoba subsidizes the analysis costs associated with one bacteriological sample per year. The subsidized cost to homeowners for the testing is $8.03 ($7.65 + GST) plus shipping. In the event that the analysis indicates that the water sample is contaminated, the province covers 100% of the analytical cost for an additional sample. A coupon will be provided for the re-test and must be submitted with the re-sample. One should attempt to correct the contamination prior to submitting the re-test. Additional samples may submitted (after the re-test) but the homeowner will be charged full price.
FLOOD PROGRAM
Manitoba Water Stewardship will be closing the 2011 Flood Program as of October 31, 2011. Samples submitted after this date will be charged at regular subsidy rates (if sample qualifies) or at regular Maxxam rates.
Under the flood program, well owners in flood-affected areas are entitled to one fully subsidized (FREE) test for a private well. If that analysis indicated that the water sample is contaminated, the province covers 100% of the analytical cost for ONE additional sample. A coupon will be provided for the re-test and must be submitted with the re-sample. Again, one should attempt to correct the contamination prior to submitting the re-test. Additional samples may submitted (after the re-test) but the homeowner will be charged full price.
In all cases, homeowners are responsible for any costs associated with obtaining the required sample bottle and submission form and for transporting the samples to the lab in a timely fashion.
Download these documents now:
IMPORTANT SAMPLING INSTRUCTIONS REQUEST FORM
What does a sample bottle look like?
Maxxam-approved Sample Bottle for Well Water Testing
Click here for more Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Maxxam does not provide consultation or advice as to use or health implications of water test results. Nor do we provide consultation on techniques or services regarding the treatment, repair or shocking of wells. These two publications from the Manitoba Health department are provided here as a convenience to our customers:
- What do I do when a boil water advisory is issued? – How do I disinfect my well?
Important Contact Information:
Q. Who do I call if I have any other general questions or general questions about the bacteriological subsidy program?
- Manitoba Office of Drinking water at 204 945 5776 or visit: www.manitoba.ca/drinkingwater
Q. Who do I call if I have concerns about the use of my water or the health effects of drinking my water?
- Health Links at 204 788 8200 or 1 888 315 9257
Q. Who do I call if I have questions about my well, how to shock my well or how to repair my well?
- Manitoba Water Stewardship at 204 945 8913 for information on treating your well
- Manitoba Water Stewardship at 204 945 3737 for relocating, repairing or shock chlorinating your well
