UPDATE - November 6, 2025
TOWN OF VIRDEN UPDATE #2 ON WATER CONSERVATION NOTICE and THE TOWN OF VIRDEN PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM
The Town would like to thank everyone for their cooperation in limiting their use of water during the transition to the old water source. As Production Well #2 is fully operational, the water conservation notice is now lifted. If during the final phases of connecting the new well to the system a shut down is required, the public may be asked to limit usage. That request will be posted on the Town of Virden website and Facebook page, along with a notice being sent out through the emergency notification system.
The new Production Well No. 3 has been drilled with final connections to the pumphouse, occurring this week. Providing all works go as scheduled, the Town will start drawing from Well No. 3 the week of November 10, 2025.
A water testing schedule has been put in place with both raw and treated water from Production Well No. 2 being sampled on November 5, 2025, and sent for analysis. After Production Well No. 3 has been used for a minimum of two to three days, both raw and treated samples will be taken. All analytical is shared with the Office of Drinking Water and the Medical Officer of Health for review. These samples will dictate what further treatment or adjustments to the current treatment may be necessary should the water fail to meet the Canadian Drinking Water Standards for arsenic.
Communication with the Office of Drinking Water is ongoing. The Drinking Water Quality Advisory that was issued on October 19, 2025, is still in effect. To see the advisory please go to www.virden.ca and/or view the Arsenic in Manitoba Water Supplies Fact Sheet at: https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/pubs/water/drinking_water/factsheet_arsenic.pdf and/or the Health Canada Publication on Arsenic in Drinking Water at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/environment/arsenic-drinking-water.html#th
At this time, this is a precautionary water quality advisory that has been issued so that water users are aware of potential health risks and can take action to reduce these risks. The arsenic guideline is based on lifetime exposure (70 years). Health Canada recommends that to minimize health risks, every effort should be made to keep arsenic levels in drinking water as low as possible.
Recommendations from the Advisory advise that if this is your primary drinking water source, you may wish to reduce the amount of water that you consume from this source. Options include using an alternative water source such as bottled water for drinking, preparing food or beverages, including ice and infant formula.
Town of Virden Council, Staff and the Project Team remain committed to supplying our residents with water that meets all Canadian Drinking Water Standards.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to email:
Mayor Tina Williams at t.williams@virden.ca
CAO Rhonda Stewart at cao@virden.ca
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UPDATE - October 24, 2025
TOWN OF VIRDEN UPDATE ON WATER CONSERVATION NOTICE and THE TOWN OF VIRDEN PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM
The Town would like to thank everyone for their cooperation in limiting their use of water during the transition to the old water source.
The raw water is now back on the full treatment process which includes reverse osmosis and greensand filtration. Council does ask for your continued support in conserving water. Over the next day or two, you may see the Town Utility Operators flushing hydrants in various locations throughout the community. This flushing may be required to clear the water from the Water Treatment Plant and the Distribution System that was not put through the full treatment process.
The Drinking Water Quality Advisory that was issued on October 19, 2025 is still in effect.
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Joint Statement – Town of Virden & RM of Wallace-Woodworth - October 21, 2025
The Town of Virden and the R.M. of Wallace-Woodworth have been in contact regarding Virden’s current water supply challenges.
“We understand the challenges Virden is facing and appreciate the importance of ensuring reliable water access for the community,” said Reeve Clayton Canart of the RM of Wallace-Woodworth. “Our Council is open to sitting down with Virden and provincial partners to look at potential short-term solutions and what kind of infrastructure that would require. Due to our system’s existing capacity and commitments, a full supply connection is not feasible, but we are willing to explore what limited or temporary assistance may be possible.”
Mayor Tina Williams expressed appreciation for the RM’s willingness to discuss cooperative options as the Town continues working with the Manitoba Water Services Board and other agencies to secure a long-term, sustainable water source.
Both municipalities will maintain open communication as the situation evolves and will keep residents informed of any developments.
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UPDATE - October 21 - CRITICAL - Water Conservation Notice (minimum 48 hours)
After issuing a water conservation notice over the weekend, water consumption by our system users has INCREASED instead of decreasing.
This lack of conservation is forcing the Town to bypass all primary treatment and send water that has only been chlorinated straight to the reservoir. This water will be discolored and have an unpleasant odor, but at this time, will be blended with the 2021 aquifer water. Due to blending the impact will not be as noticeable for tonight but if consumption is not reduced immediately, the quality will continue to deteriorate.
It was critical that the Town transition off the 2021 aquifer today, as levels are extremely low due to this increase in usage. This has not provided the Town adequate time to get the old water system to a quality that can be ran through the full treatment system.
The Town once again asks the cooperation of all our citizens and the surrounding community, when visiting Virden, to please use water for essential purposes only!
Your cooperation is not only appreciated but required at this critical time for our citizens.
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UPDATE - October 19, 2025
Manitoba Health Environment and Climate Change
DRINKING WATER QUALITY ADVISORY FOR THE VIRDEN PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM
Issued by the Medical Officer of Health, Manitoba Health and the Office of Drinking Water, Manitoba Environment and Climate Change
The Town of Virden will be bringing two wells online within an aquifer in which previous testing and historical data indicated the levels of arsenic exceeded the Canadian Drinking Water Guideline of 0.01 mg/L. At this time, it is unknown if treatment will be able to reduce arsenic levels below the health guideline. Therefore, a precautionary water quality advisory is being issued so that water users are aware of the risks and can take action to reduce these risks. The arsenic guideline is based on lifetime exposure (70 years). Drinking this water over long periods of time can slightly increase cancer risk. It is beneficial to try to keep arsenic levels in drinking water as low as possible.
RECOMMENDATIONS
If this is your primary drinking water source, you may wish to reduce the amount of water that you consume from this source. Options include using an alternative water source such as bottled water for drinking, preparing food or beverages, including ice and infant formula.
For more information, please refer to the Manitoba "Arsenic in Manitoba Water Supplies" fact sheet at the link below. Boiling the water will NOT reduce the amount of arsenic in the water and may potentially increase the concentration of arsenic in the water very slightly.
Since exposure is mainly through consuming the water, you can continue to use the water for all other domestic purposes including general cleaning, hand washing, bathing, laundry, washing dishes, etc.
DURATION
You will be notified when testing has confirmed the arsenic levels in the treated water, including whether they meet or exceed the Canadian Drinking Water Guideline.
For more information on arsenic in drinking water supplies, please see the fact sheet "Arsenic in Manitoba Water Supplies" available on-line at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/pubs/water/drinking_water/factsheet_arsenic.pdf
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Town of Virden at 204-748-2440, or the Regional Drinking Water Officer at 204-724-0685, or Health Links at 204-788-8200 (toll free at 1-888-315-9257).
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UPDATE - OCTOBER 17
WATER CONSERVATION NOTICE
The Town of Virden is asking all residents and business owners to conserve water as much as possible until advised otherwise.
The Town of Virden and the Manitoba Water Services Board “MWSB” continue to work together to ensure uninterrupted water supply to the Town. Due to new data received today regarding the levels of the water supply wells currently in use, the transition to the previously used aquifer, using one of the operating production wells, could occur as early as Monday afternoon or Tuesday
As of today, water for the Town is still being provided from the 2021 aquifer. This water source is safe, meeting provincial standards and Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. Results provided to the Town and MWSB, from a more recent investigation of the aquifer, indicates that this aquifer does not have the capacity to meet the needs of the Town. As a result of this newly acquired information and the sharply declining levels in both production wells, and surrounding private wells, the decision was made to move back to the previously used aquifer as quick as possible. Unfortunately, the newly drilled well is not expected to be in production until the week of October 27th, barring any unforeseen complications.
The Province will be issuing a precautionary Water Quality Advisory 24 hours prior to the transition to the old aquifer taking place, due to historical arsenic levels at this source. Links to information regarding arsenic levels in drinking water will be provided with that notice. Residents will be informed of the water quality results from this site as soon as they are available. The Project Team will be ensuring that these results are expedited and shared with the community and the Province, as soon as they are available.
The Office of Drinking Water, Manitoba Health, Prairie Mountain Health along with other Provincial Departments, are in constant communication with the Town. All representatives from these departments recognize the critical nature of this matter and are working with the Town and MWSB to ensure all permits and applications are expedited. The decision to move back to the previously used aquifer and commence construction of a new well was thoroughly vetted by the expert advisors from these departments.
Friesen Drilling Ltd. and Associated Engineering, working with the Town and MWSB, have made this project a top priority, with FDL having already commenced the installation of the new well as of October 15. While the installation of the well is occurring, the “Project Team” are working to upgrade the pumphouse, installing connections to the new well, and ensuring the Water Treatment Plant processes can be adjusted and all controls are in place for when the transition to the new well occurs.
Estimated costs for this emergency project could be as high as $500,000 with the Town and MWSB agreeing to a 50-50 cost sharing. The Town’s portion of the project will be paid through funds received from the Canada Community Building Fund, previously known as the Gas Tax Fund, and not municipal taxation.
On behalf of Mayor Williams and the Council of the Town of Virden, thank you for your cooperation and know they are committed to providing updates to the community as soon as more information is known by the expert advisors.
Please contact Mayor Tina Williams at t.williams@virden.ca or CAO Rhonda Stewart at cao@virden.ca for further questions.
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PUBLIC NOTICE - Update - October 10, 2025
In light of the recent news regarding the need for the Town of Virden to move off of our current aquifer due to a low supply of water, the Town is asking all citizens and businesses to assist us through this transition, and limit their water use, where possible. Thank you for your understanding.