When Dana Whitenect had her well water tested at a laboratory in Fredericton designated by New Brunswick, the results confirmed the presence of enough manganese to cause brown staining in her water tanks. Despite this, there was no warning given regarding the potential health risks for the children at her Saint John daycare.
Whitenect was told by the lab that the high manganese levels were merely an aesthetic issue and posed no health concerns. However, the manganese content in her drinking water was found to be almost eight times above the limit set by Health Canada in 2019 to safeguard the brain development of children and formula-fed infants. It was only last week that New Brunswick updated its drinking water guidelines to align with Health Canada after years of delay.
Gilles LePage, the provincial environment minister, expressed confusion over the prolonged delay in matching the standards, as he had assumed the cabinet position after the 2024 election. Health Canada’s guidelines are not legally binding on the provinces, and New Brunswick’s Research and Productivity Council, a Crown corporation, did not consistently reference these guidelines in well-water reports.
Recent investigations revealed discrepancies in how well water samples were handled. CBC News conducted a study where water samples from a well known for high manganese levels were split, with one half delivered directly to the Research and Productivity Council labs and the other half submitted through Service New Brunswick. The council lab issued a health-risk warning in its report, while the sample sent through Service New Brunswick did not provide any warning.
LePage acknowledged the discrepancy and stated that steps have been taken to ensure uniformity in the regulatory system, aligning it with national standards. In New Brunswick, 40% of the population relies on private wells for drinking water, with an estimated 30% of the 120,000 private wells potentially having elevated manganese levels.
Manganese is a prevalent element in the local geology, often leaching into groundwater from the soil. These levels can fluctuate over time and seasons, highlighting the necessity for regular testing. Homeowners with high manganese levels are advised by Health Canada to install certified treatment systems, with costs varying depending on the system.
Whitenect, concerned about the health of the children at her daycare, took proactive measures to install a treatment system despite the lack of a warning in the lab report. She emphasized the financial burden associated with such systems and expressed concerns about affordability for others. New Brunswick has now updated its drinking water guidelines to align with Health Canada’s regulations on various contaminants.
