In recent weeks, there has been a significant amount of misinformation circulating online regarding the future of the Beaconia Well. The RM of St. Clements is committed to transparency and ensuring that residents have access to accurate and up-to-date information. Below is a summary of common questions we’ve received, along with factual responses based on the RM’s actions and the latest regulatory guidance from the Province.

Q: What did the RM do in the last five years to fix this?
A: The RM received verbal direction from the Office of Drinking Water in 2020 and a formal letter in March 2022 outlining required actions to bring the well into compliance. Since then:

• Engineering assessments were conducted.
• A survey was mailed to Beaconia-area residents in 2022, and a sign with a link to our survey was posted at the well to ensure that actual users of the site could participate. 206 residents responded.
• Several options were reviewed, including costly upgrades, reclassification, or full decommissioning.

Q: Why is the RM putting in treatment infrastructure if they say it’s a pail fill?
A: The RM is not currently building full-scale treatment infrastructure. The compliance plan includes drilling a new artesian well that could operate as a pail/jug fill without treatment, provided it shows a history free of contamination. The RM must still propose how disinfection could be added if the Province requires it in the future. This is a precautionary step required by regulators and does not mean treatment is guaranteed to be necessary.

Q: Didn’t the RM say that pail fills don’t require disinfection? Why mention disinfection in the compliance plan?
A: That’s correct. Pail fill systems can be exempt from disinfection if the water source is bacteriologically safe over time. However, the Province requires a contingency plan in case disinfection becomes necessary in the future. The RM is including this in its submission so that future upgrades can be made quickly if required.

Q: Is it true that the new well won’t be allowed to flow freely like the current one?
A: Yes. Under current provincial regulations, uncontrolled flow is not permitted. The new well will include flow control, which is required to prevent water waste and to meet sustainability and environmental standards. The current Beaconia Well loses approximately 11 million litres of water each year through continuous flow, which is not allowed under the Groundwater and Water Well Act.

Q: Can’t the RM just preserve the old well as a historic site?
A: While the RM recognizes the historic and community value of the Beaconia Well, the Province has issued a sealing order that must be followed. This means the current well cannot remain in its existing state unless it meets modern regulatory standards. The RM is focused on maintaining public water access by establishing a compliant, functionally similar system nearby.

Q: Why wasn’t more done sooner? Why did it take five years?
A: The RM did not receive a formal sealing order until February 2025. In 2022, a formal letter was issued with required actions to bring the well into compliance. Between 2020 and 2022, direction from regulators was verbal. Since then, the RM has been actively working to assess options, gather resident input, and meet regulatory requirements. Council has been clear: no permanent closure of the current well will occur until a suitable, approved alternative is in place.

Q: Did Beaconia residents pay for the East Selkirk Water Treatment Plant?
A: No. The East Selkirk Water Treatment Plant was built in 2012 and funded through a local improvement levy applied only to properties within the East Selkirk Local Improvement District. Beaconia and other outlying areas did not contribute to this cost through their property taxes. For more info: https://rmofstclements.com/residents/services/water

Q: Why wasn’t the survey more widely distributed?
A: The 2022 Beaconia Well survey was mailed directly to ratepayers in the Beaconia area and posted at the well itself with a web link so active users could respond. It was also promoted online and through RM channels. A total of 206 residents responded.

Q: Is the RM still planning to close the Beaconia Well?
A: The current well is under a sealing order from the Province, but no final closure will occur until a compliant replacement is ready. The RM has submitted a compliance plan proposing a new well and is awaiting feedback from the Province. Updates will continue to be posted at: https://rmofstclements.com/beaconia-well