Manitoba's Water Protection Handbook - Government of Manitoba

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Did You Know?• A Gull Lake water quality study foundthat septic fields were a significantsource of nutrients, causing severealgal blooms, extensive aquatic weedgrowth and fish kills. The Gull LakeBasin Management Board workedco-operatively with the local municipalgovernment to pass a by-law requiringcottages to convert from septic fieldsto holding tanks. The cost of a pumpoutis less than a hundredth of the costof a septic system replacement.• Manitoba Conservation has regulationsin place controlling the location,installation and operation of septicsystems, holding tanks and outhouses.Call the nearest Manitoba Conservationoffice for more information or a copyof the regulations.• Manitoba Conservation has a sewagesystem inspection program inprovincial parks.Signs of Failing SystemsCommon symptoms of failing septic systems include:• unusually green or spongy grass above theleaching field• offensive odours, particularly after a rain• slow-draining sinks and toilets, sludge backupinto the house• sewage pooling above the field46
Protecting the WaterLawn and GardensMany a cold winter’s night is spent planning thedream yard - lush green lawns, beautiful flower bedsand well-stocked vegetable gardens – all free of weedsand insects. Unfortunately, we often assume the perfectyard requires the continual application of chemicalfertilizers and pesticides.Whether you own a large rural acreage or a small citylot, what you put on your lawn has a great impact onthe quality of surface water and groundwater in thesurrounding watershed. As well, the continuous use ofchemicals can eventually result in unhealthy lawns andgardens that become dependent on the chemical fix. Byusing traditional or alternative fertilizers and pesticidesproperly, you can create a beautiful, healthy,environmentally-friendly yard.Responsible Fertilizer UseMost commercial fertilizers are man-made and easy touse because the amount of nutrients being applied isknown; however, they do not enhance the organic contentof the soil. Most synthetic fertilizers are water solubleand may leach out of the soil. Organic fertilizers, suchas manure, are beneficial because they increase theorganic matter and help hold moisture in the soil.However, too heavy an application of any fertilizer,synthetic or natural, can burn plants. Applying morenutrients that can not be absorbed by the plant mayresult in excess fertilizer entering surface water orleaching to groundwater.Soil composition is an important consideration whenapplying fertilizers to enhance plant growth. Heavy claysoils will retain more fertilizer than sandy, silty soils.Homeowners with lawns on the edge of a stream, riveror lake need to take special care to prevent fertilizersfrom entering surface water where they will encouragenuisance plant growth and may cause fish kills. InWhiteshell Provincial Park, the thin layer of soil coveringthe bedrock cannot hold much fertilizer, therefore iteventually leaches to surface waters.Various landscaping techniques are available to keepfertilizer from draining off your property into surfacewaters. A vegetative buffer of trees, bushes, shrubs andnatural grasses will minimize natural disturbance ofsoil, slow surface runoff and filter sediments andnutrients before they reach the lake or stream.47
Page 5: Did You Know?Many ProcessesContribu
Page 10 and 11: UNCONFINEDAQUIFERIMPERMEABLECONFINE
Page 13 and 14: A Valuable ResourceWater UseManitob
Page 15 and 16: A Valuable ResourceHousehold Water
Page 17 and 18: Laundry• Front loading washing ma
Page 19 and 20: Did You Know?How Non-point SourcePo
Page 21 and 22: eaches. Studies have shown that lar
Page 25 and 26: Manitobans need to work together to
Page 27 and 28: Prevention is the Best ControlChemi
Page 29 and 30: A Matter of QualityAquatic PlantsAq
Page 31 and 32: A Matter of QualityAquatic InsectsM
Page 33 and 34: A Matter of QualitySediments and Er
Page 35 and 36: A Matter of QualityContaminants in
Page 37 and 38: What You Can Do• Limit your use o
Page 39 and 40: What you can doBoats are the major
Page 41 and 42: What You Can Do• If you get swimm
Page 43 and 44: Did You Know?Natural FoamEach year,
Page 45 and 46: What You Can DoVegetative BufferRed
Page 47: What You Can DoThe life expectancy
Page 51 and 52: What You Can Do• Keep areas along
Page 53 and 54: What You Can DoProper DisposalMany
Page 55 and 56: Did You Know?Explore the Alternativ
Page 57 and 58: What You Can DoMaintaining Your Boa
Page 59 and 60: Protecting the WaterPet WasteAll st
Page 61 and 62: Where are we located?Water Quality
Page 63 and 64: Deposition:The laying, placing, or
Page 65 and 66: Point source pollution:A stationary

Manitoba's Water Protection Handbook - Government of Manitoba

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