Clean water. For me. For you. Forever. A hands-on guide to keeping Manitoba’s water clean and healthy. WaterManitoba’s natural treasure Water is Manitoba’s most precious and essential resource. Where the water fl ows Our deep, pristine lakes give us drinking water. As well, our lakes Water is contained in natural geographic regions called watersheds. are beautiful recreation spots enjoyed by thousands of campers, Think of them as large bowls. Sometimes they are grouped together cottagers and fi shers — including many fi shers who earn their living to form larger regions, sometimes they are small and isolated. on our lakes. Watersheds help us protect our water by allowing us to control the spread of pollutants and foreign species from one watershed to Manitoba’s lakes, rivers and wetlands are home to a wide variety another. When we see Manitoba as a network of watersheds, it helps us of fi sh and wildlife. And our rushing rivers generate power for our to understand how actions in one area can affect water in other areas. businesses and light up our homes. Even more important, water is the source Where the water meets the land of all life on earth. It touches every area The strip of land alongside rivers, lakes, streams, dugouts, ponds of our lives. Without it, we could not and even man-made ditches is called a riparian zone or shoreline. thrive — we could not even survive. The trees and vegetation along this strip of land are an important habitat for many kinds of wildlife and the last line of defense between Unfortunately, many of the things pollutants in the ground and our water. Maintaining our shoreline we do every day can hurt our is essential to preserving and water. That’s why the Manitoba protecting Manitoba’s water. Manitoba water facts government is taking action to • Manitoba’s 100,000 lakes and protect our water, and clean it up. Wetland habitats assorted rivers and streams carry But to help make sure Manitoba Areas where the ground is soggy, 900 trillion litres of surface water always has plenty of clean water, we or where shallow water ripples and cover 16% of the province. all have to take action too. Small through high grass or reeds, are • Wetlands and peatlands cover changes can make a big difference. often called bogs, fens or marshes. 41% of the province. These wetland habitats are a vital • Three of Canada’s 14 largest This guide outlines practical things part of Manitoba’s water landscape; we can do in our homes, our yards, lakes are in Manitoba — Lake they provide habitat for many Winnipeg, Lake Manitoba and at our cottages and when we are aquatic and semi-aquatic birds, Lake Winnipegosis. camping, to preserve and protect animals and insects. Wetlands are our water. It’s up to all of us. • Manitoba is the only province also natural fi lters that reduce the in Canada where all river water pollutants and toxins that can end eventually fl ows north. up in our water system. • More than 70% of the fl ow in our streams and rivers originates outside of Manitoba. How water fl ows through our lives Water makes life possible and helps our economy Livestock Like people, livestock require an abundant thrive. If you think about it, water touches nearly supply of high-quality drinking water to live and everything we do. thrive. Industrial In Our Homes Manitoba’s industries use both surface water We all use water for drinking, food preparation and and groundwater for activities such as pulp bathing. About 80% of us consume surface water and paper production, mining, smelting, from lakes and rivers. 20% of us use groundwater manufacturing and distilling, cooling and through wells from underground heating. reservoirs called aquifi ers. Power generation Recreation Manitoba is a leader in generating clean, reliable We use our surface water for swimming, hydroelectricity. Water powers our computers, boating, fi shing and a variety of other our lights and our refrigerators. recreational activities. Many tourists visit Manitoba every year to enjoy our Irrigation lakes and rivers. Many of Manitoba’s crops are irrigated by both surface water and groundwater. Habitat We also use water to irrigate our People are not the only living things lawns and gardens. that depend on water. Manitoba’s surface water and wetlands are home to aquatic wildlife such as fi sh and insects, as well as semi- aquatic wildlife — muskrats, beavers, ducks and geese. Threats to Manitoba’s water Only 5% of Manitoba is fortunate to be one of the most Consumption We have lots of water, but our supply is not domestic water ‘water rich’ places on earth, but many things endless. Overuse can deplete both groundwater consumption can impact the quality of our water, including and surface water supplies. Only 5% of is used for our own activities. household water is used for cooking and drinking. The rest is fl ushed away in toilet water, cooking and Pollution showers or sinks. In summer months, activities drinking. Both natural and human activities cause pollution, and pollution can such as watering the lawn and garden, and reduce the quality of our surface water and groundwater. Natural washing the car can increase water use by 50%. pollutants include salts, arsenic, uranium and wildlife wastes. Human activities that cause pollution include leaking septic fi elds, Foreign species wastewater, petroleum storage tanks, fertilizers, pesticides and Our surface waters are home to many species of plants, insects and livestock waste. aquatic life. This environment can be delicate and easily upset. The introduction of foreign species of insects, plants, fi sh or other types Nutrients of wildlife can have a dramatic impact. Foreign species can be carried Nutrients are usually a good thing, but when nutrient levels in from one waterway to another on boat bottoms or in bait buckets. the water get too high, aquatic plant growth can get out of control and cause damage to the water. Sources of harmful levels of Floods and drought nutrients include human sewage, bog drainage, pet and livestock Floods and droughts can also affect our water supplies. Droughts feces, agricultural, lawn and garden fertilizers, wastewater and can deplete both surface water and groundwater, and fl oods can cleaning products. transport garbage, pollution and foreign species that can damage our surface waters. Climate change Climate change has the potential to seriously damage Manitoba’s 40%water. Severe of weather all caused by climate change can threaten our watersheds. Even small, long-term increases in average temperature householdcan reduce wildlife populations and permanently damage waterwater systems. is fl ushed down the Working to protect Manitoba’s water Manitoba’s clean water policy Lake Winnipeg Manitoba has lots of water, but it’s a fragile resource that we can’t Protecting our Prairie Ocean take for granted. With a surface area of 24,000 square kilometres, Lake Winnipeg is From farming to fi shing, from recreational activities to powering our one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. Over the past 30 homes and businesses, Manitobans rely on our province’s supply of years, human activity has increased the level of harmful nutrients clean, fresh water every day. like nitrogen and phosphorus in Lake Winnipeg, causing algae The Manitoba government is working hard to preserve and protect overgrowth. Too much algae in the lake: this vital natural resource by: • reduces recreational opportunities like swimming and water sports • closely managing fi sh habitats • increases drinking water treatment costs • promoting water conservation • changes aquatic habitat and produces toxins that are harmful to people, • ensuring surface water and groundwater quality through controls on pets, fi sh and wildlife industry and wastewater treatment • clogs the nets and threatens the livelihood of over 800 commercial fi shers • controlling harmful nutrient levels in our lakes and streams Lake Winnipeg is too important to allow these changes to continue. • continually testing drinking water supplies The province is working with industry, communities, and neighbouring • working with Manitobans to improve water quality in our lakes with states and provinces to restore Lake Winnipeg. As part of the special emphasis on restoring Lake Winnipeg Lake Winnipeg Action Plan, the province created the Lake Winnipeg • working with northern Manitoba communities to plan hydroelectric Stewardship Board. The Board will help Manitobans fi nd the best way development and to ensure that proper environmental assessments are to reduce the fl ow of harmful nutrients into the lake. conducted • working with the agricultural industry and agricultural communities to The Clean Beaches program encourages Manitobans to protect Lake meet the challenges ahead while protecting Manitoba’s water Winnipeg by following some simple guidelines. • working with communities and organizations to develop Manitoba • Don’t feed the shore birds — gulls can quickly become accustomed to watershed management plans eating and living on the beach. • seeking input from Manitobans on land drainage, water use, planning, • Don’t litter or discard food on the beach — dispose of trash in proper stewardship and conservation receptacles. • seeking input from Aboriginal communities and northern residents on • Change diapered children frequently and away from the water’s edge. Manitoba’s water strategy and implementation • Never bury waste in the sand. You can help... At home Recycle The less waste we put in landfi lls, the less chance it has to get into Here are just a few simple ways you can conserve our groundwater, lakes and streams. and protect water right in your own home — and save on your water bills at the same time. Properly dispose of hazardous household waste Paints, chemicals and household cleaners should not be Install low-fl ow faucets and disposed of with other household waste or ever fl ushed shower heads or poured down the drain.