Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship released, June 30, 2015, a discussion paper on proposed regulations to support Manitoba’s new Groundwater and Water Well Act.

The new Act addresses a number of issues to provide additional protection to groundwater and aquifers. The Act, which applies to geothermal, geotechnical, monitoring and water supply wells:

• strengthens legislation governing the construction, maintenance and sealing of wells;
• introduces new licensing and standards to protect groundwater and well owners;
  
• allows for certification requirements for well drillers, well sealers and pump installers;
• formalizes the process for establishing aquifer management plans for the management,
• protection and sustainable use of aquifers; and
• enables the development of supporting regulations.

Comments due by August 28, 2015.