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.
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.
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In the past week, professional consultants engaged by the Manitoba Water Services Board (“MWSB”) have advised the Town and MWSB that the aquifer levels that the new Town wells are drawing from, are seriously low, with the consultant recommending the Town move off that aquifer as soon as possible. As a result of this recommendation, the Town has enacted our emergency response measures to ensure our water resources are protected and water access is not disrupted. In consultation with the professional consultants and MWSB, it has been determined the best course of action is to drill a new well at the old water source in the following weeks. This immediate action is being taken to ensure that ratepayers and businesses continue to have access to potable water.
The Town and our consultants are in discussions with the Office of Drinking Water and Public Health regarding this matter. The Town understands the importance of access to clean and viable drinking water, so we are taking all the appropriate steps in partnership with MWSB to ensure the Town has a safe water source.
Further information will be provided prior to the new well being put into production and providing water for our citizens.
For questions, please contact either: Mayor Tina Williams at t.williams@virden.ca, or CAO Rhonda Stewart at cao@virden.ca
