The Beaconia Well, which has been used by local residents as a semi-public water source, is not in compliance with the Groundwater and Water Well Act due to its uncontrolled flow. This non-compliance was first identified in 2022, and the situation has since escalated, leading to the issuance of a formal well sealing order from the province.

The well sealing order, issued by the Government of Manitoba on February 18, 2025, requires the RM of St. Clements to decommission the Beaconia Well by September 2, 2025. The well’s uncontrolled flow and deteriorating infrastructure pose significant regulatory concerns, and the RM is actively working to meet these requirements.

Actions Taken

In response to the order, the RM of St. Clements has explored several options, including upgrading the well, decommissioning it, or reclassifying it as a non-potable water system to avoid the requirement of implementing disinfection. After reviewing these options and considering community feedback, the RM has formally requested approval from the Office of Drinking Water to reclassify the well as a non-potable water source.

This request, submitted on February 26, 2025, highlights the fact that the Beaconia Well does not supply water to any institutions requiring disinfection under The Drinking Water Safety Regulation and proposes the conversion of the well to a non-potable system. Under this reclassification, the RM would implement measures such as flow control, site signage, annual notices to residents, and quarterly water testing.

You can view the full letter to the Well Drilling Liaison Officer requesting reclassification and the response letter from the Government of Manitoba by following the links below:

Next Steps

The RM is awaiting a response from the Office of Drinking Water regarding the reclassification request. In the meantime, we are continuing to explore all options for addressing the well’s compliance issues and will keep residents updated as the situation progresses.

We encourage all residents to visit the Beaconia Well Information Page regularly for the latest updates and full details on the well’s history, current situation, and ongoing efforts.

Provincial Contact Information

Environmental and Climate Change Water Science and Watershed Management Branch
groundwater@gov.mb.ca

Director, Office of Drinking Water
Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks
Box 18, 14 Fultz Blvd., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3Y OL4
odw@gov.mb.ca
manitoba.ca/drinkingwater

Public Engagement

As part of our commitment to transparency, we will continue to gather feedback from residents. We value your input and encourage you to share your thoughts as we work through the next steps.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support as we navigate this process.