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Affected by the June 2026 flood or suspect surface water running into your well?

​Well Shock Chlorination and Water Testing
​The SLWD offers and encourages landowners to annually test their well water for bacteria.
Shock chlorination is a relatively inexpensive and straightforward procedure used to control bacteria in wells, especially after a flood event or high water event.

The SLWD is working with Duracan Ltd., Watershed Planning and Programs, and Office of Drinking water in providing all those affected landowners free water testing bottles for bacteria and E. coli from June 15 to August 31, 2026. 
Stop by the office in Swan River to pick up a sterilized bottle (you cannot bring your own bottles) and necessary paperwork or reach out to your Municipality!

** Currently, samples are only being shipped on Tuesdays. Samples need to be collected the same day and brought to the office. **

Step 1 Shocking Your Well:
Because of flooding, well shock chlorination (well disinfection) would be a great idea! This process involves introducing a high concentration of chlorine into your well to eliminate bacteria and E. coli. It is typically required after a flood event such as this. If you are disinfecting your well due to flooding or if you suspect surface water has entered your well, wait until the flood water has receded. Use the chart to determine the amount of bleach you will need for disinfection. 

Step 2 Sampling Your Water:
The process involves adding chlorine to the water in the well and pumping it through the water distribution system (all household taps, including toilets) until the smell of bleach is present. The chlorinated water is then left in the system long enough to ensure complete disinfection, 12 hours minimum or 24 hours for best results. Ensure that you have enough potable water for that amount of time. Make sure to disconnect or by-pass water filters and treatment equipment, such as water softeners, reverse osmosis (RO) systems and carbon filters. Then flush the lines thoroughly by running every tap in the house until no smell of bleach is present, then sample (or resample) the well water. 
​Minimum household bleach quantity based on well casing size

For a 4" diameter, ~15ml of bleach/foot of well depth
(15ml * X ft) = Y ml / 1000 = Z liters

For a 6" diameter, ~30ml of bleach/foot of well depth
(30ml * X ft) = Y ml / 1000 = Z liters

For a 36" diameter, ~1 liter of bleach/foot of well depth
(1L * X ft) = Y Liters

Example 1: If you have a 4 inch diameter well and is 150ft then the quantity of bleach to use is 2,250ml or 2.25L

Example 2: If you have a 36 inch diameter well and is 50ft then the quantity of bleach to use is 49.5L
Affected by the June 2026 flood?
2026 June Heavy Rains - Manitoba has established a DFA program for the 2026 June Heavy Rains.
Program Announcement Date: June 11, 2026
Deadline to request DFA: September 9, 2026

Active DFA Programs
Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) programs may be established when a natural disaster occurs and has the following:
  • defined start and end date
  • disruption of essential goods and services
  • damages to vital infrastructure
  • widespread damage to property or the environment
  • significant financial burden

Primary residences, farms, businesses and non-profit organizations
Primary residences, farms, businesses and non-profit organizations with impacts related to the heavy rains may apply to the DFA program.

Insurable damages are not eligible for DFA. Secondary properties such as cottages are never eligible for DFA. In addition, DFA does not assist with loss of income, revenue, wages, market share or opportunity.

Refer to the DFA webpage for more details.
Deadline to submit invoices and event related expenses: June 11, 2027
Frequently Asked DFA Questions
​**New Programs added for 2026!! Cost-Share changes as well!
​Make sure to find out more information on our 'Programs' tab!**

Want to know a little about our Board and Sub-District Members?!
Click the "About" page and find out!
Click on the Programs Tab to find out the latest funding opportunities and eligible projects!

​More projects are being added to our Programming!
Eligible SLWD Programming
Click on the link below to find out the full list of eligible SLWD programs that can be completed with landowners.

Goals 

The Swan Lake Watershed District is dedicated to the conservation efforts towards protection, restoration, and management of land, water, aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources within the District. 
​
The District takes a holistic approach, which prioritizes and directs programming toward the greatest benefit in improving the health and sustainability of the overall watershed by integrating surface water management, groundwater preservation, and habitat protection programs.

District Map

​Swan Lake Watershed Included Municipalities and the Town of Swan River.
14 Manitoba Watershed Districts of MB.

Location

Picture
559-4th Ave N.
Box 1858, R0L 1Z0
Swan River, MB

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