Eco-Network Submits Comments on Portage Water Treatment Plant Upgrade

On April 20th, 2026 the Manitoba Eco-Network submitted comments to the Manitoba public registry under The Environment Act regarding file no. 4635.10 – City of Portage La Prairie – Water Treatment Plant Upgrades.

You can read our comments below.

File No. 4635.10 – City of Portage la Prairie – Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

These comments are on behalf of the Manitoba Eco-Network (MbEN), in response to the Environment Act Proposal (EAP) for the City of Portage la Prairie’s proposed Water Treatment Plant upgrades (File No. 4635.10). The city is proposing to upgrade the existing water treatment plant located southwest of the City of Portage la Prairie. The upgraded plant will have capacity to withdraw approximately 19,000 cubic decametres of water per year. The development will include a new water intake structure in the Assiniboine River, expansion of the existing pretreatment building, a new building for a two-stage membrane treatment system, a new 66-kilovolt substation and other related facility upgrades.

MbEN generally supports government investments in safe and effective drinking water infrastructure, however, due to the scale of this proposed project and its location within the Assiniboine River system, there is a need to ensure this development and its potential impacts are carefully and publicly considered. In particular, it is essential that the potential impacts of the proposed upgrades be considered within a broader watershed and cumulative effects context. Therefore, MbEN recommends that this development be referred to the Clean Environment Commission (CEC) for a public hearing with full participant funding. We also recommend the collection and publication of a range of additional information, discussed further below. 

Research indicates that the Assiniboine River system may already be approaching its allocated capacity under historical hydrologic assumptions. Reported allocations of approximately 95,000 acre-feet are near the estimated firm yield of 96,500 acre-feet during drought conditions. At the same time, provincial analysis indicates that climate change is likely to increase both demand and variability in supply, with potential for peak use to exceed available flows during low-flow periods. Recent provincial decisions to restrict licensed diversions to Crescent Lake during drought conditions further demonstrate that water availability constraints are already affecting allocation decisions within the basin.

Manitoba’s 2016 Drought Management Strategy identifies key actions to improve water allocation and drought preparedness; however, several measures remain unimplemented, and the strategy is currently under review as Manitoba’s 2022 Water Management Strategy Framework and 2023 Water Strategy Action Plan is implemented. Proceeding with a major expansion of water supply infrastructure in the absence of an updated and fully implemented drought framework introduces additional uncertainty and risk. 

We also note that the proponent’s existing water rights are based on a legacy licensing framework that did not require advance assessment of instream flow needs. Although Section 9.1(1) of The Water Rights Act now requires consideration of aquatic ecosystem protection, no such analysis informed the original allocation decision. This raises questions as to whether current and expanded withdrawals are consistent with contemporary environmental standards.

The proposed project includes a new intake structure within the Assiniboine River and the use of advanced membrane treatment technologies, including ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. While these technologies improve drinking water quality, they also generate concentrated residual streams. There is limited publicly available information regarding how these residuals will be managed and whether they may contribute to cumulative water quality impacts within the watershed.

The proposed project is also designed to support future population and industrial growth to 2050. This reinforces the need to assess induced and cumulative effects, including increased water withdrawals, wastewater generation, and downstream impacts. Nearby First Nations, including Long Plain First Nation and Dakota Tipi First Nation, are directly connected to the Assiniboine River system. The information provided in the EAP does not clearly indicate whether their current or future water needs have been considered. Given existing water access challenges in the region, this represents an important information gap that warrants further engagement and analysis.

Given all of these concerns and existing information gaps in the EAP, we recommend that the Minister exercise authority under Section 12(5)(b) and (c) of The Environment Act to require the collection and publication of additional information, including:

• a comprehensive cumulative effects assessment of water withdrawals across the Assiniboine River basin;
• climate-adjusted water availability modelling, including drought scenarios;
• a scientifically robust instream flow needs assessment; and
• a detailed evaluation of residuals management and nutrient pathways.

The combination of near-full water allocation, increasing demand, climate uncertainty, incomplete drought policy implementation, and unresolved instream flow requirements represents a level of cumulative risk and public interest that exceeds what can be adequately addressed through a standard impact assessment. A public CEC hearing would provide an appropriate forum for independent expert review, transparent evaluation of cumulative impacts, and meaningful public participation.

MbEN appreciates your consideration of our comments about the environmental assessment and licensing of the City of Portage la Prairie’s proposed Water Treatment Plant upgrades. We welcome future opportunities to engage with the Government in the assessment of projects in Manitoba to ensure the highest level of environmental protection measures are required. Under The Environment Act, the Department of Environment and Climate Change is tasked with protecting the quality of the environment and environmental health of present and future generations and providing the opportunity for all citizens to exercise influence over the quality of their living environment. We are confident you will adhere to these principles and ensure an informed decision about the proposed development will be made.