Question 1

Water well database

Accepted Answer

The Water Security Agency collects and maintains a database of drilling records submitted by water well drillers. The Water Wells database contains approximately 125,000 records with nearly 2,000 new drilling reports added annually. The database contains information such as the local lithology, well completion, well depth, etc. and is available to the public. The water well driller report database is available online. The Saskatchewan Ground Water Resources GIS Web Mapping application is accessible to the public at the following website: gis.wsask.ca.

Question 2

Groundwater maps

Accepted Answer

This series of groundwater maps provide a basis for evaluation of groundwater resources in Saskatchewan. Maps show the occurrence of the groundwater resources in supporting the development, management, and protection of these water supplies. Water Security Agency publishes and maintains groundwater maps.

Question 3

Landowner's Guide to Water Well Management

Accepted Answer

Anything you needed to know about groundwater and water wells in Saskatchewan can be found  in the Landowner's Guide to Water Well Management. As with any natural resource, groundwater supplies are not unlimited. They must be wisely managed and protected against undue exploitation and influence by contaminants. This guide is intended to provide domestic water well owners with a brief overview of groundwater, well construction, well management, and well decommissioning.

Question 4

List of registered drilling machines in Saskatchewan

Accepted Answer

Under the Ground Water Regulations administered through that The Water Security Agency Act, all water well drilling machines that operate in Saskatchewan must be registered with the regulatory agency. Water Security Agency administers the registration and publishes the list of registered water well drilling machines on their website.

Question 5

Guidelines for water well construction

Accepted Answer

SGWA's own guidelines for water well construction.

Question 6

Funding and grants

Accepted Answer

The Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) provides rebates to develop secure and sustainable agricultural water sources, such as wells, dugouts, pipelines and dams. The program also supports rural well decommissioning.

FRWIP is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and designed to:

Support the development of secure and sustainable water sources for agricultural use in Saskatchewan;
Mitigate the impact of drought;
Improve public safety; and
Reduce potential groundwater contamination through well decommissioning.

Question 7

Water Security Agency - Groundwater Services

Accepted Answer

Groundwater Services unit within the Water Security Agency provides professional advice and can answer questions related to water wells and groundwater resources. They can be reached at 306-631-1985 or groundwater@wsask.ca.

Question 8

Provincial acts and regulations

Accepted Answer

Water Security Agency Act, W-8.1 
Ground Water Regulations, SR 172/66

Question 9

Well decommissioning guidelines

Accepted Answer

Water Security Agency's recommended procedures for well decommissioning.

Tel (306) 244-7551

P.O. Box 9434, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 7E9

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