Residents in the Rural Municipality of Cornwallis who rely on private wells for their drinking water have two opportunities to get their supply tested for free this June. The municipal government is hosting the testing program on Wednesday, June 10, and Wednesday, June 24, 2026, according to an official notice from the Rural Municipality of Cornwallis.
The program aims to assist homeowners in the region, which surrounds Brandon, Manitoba, in monitoring their water quality. Checking well water is important because approximately 16 per cent of rural wells in the province have nitrate levels that exceed the established drinking water standard of 45 mg/L. According to Manitoba Environment and Climate Change, high nitrate levels can cause significant health risks for infants under one year old, including a condition known as blue-baby syndrome.
Beyond this local initiative, the provincial government maintains a Private Well Testing Subsidy Program to encourage annual testing for harmful bacteria like total coliform and E. coli. This provincial program offers testing at a cost of $17.67 through the Duracan Laboratory in Winnipeg.
Residents seeking more information about the upcoming testing dates can contact the Rural Municipality of Cornwallis office at 204-725-8686. The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch).
