The basics
Under The Water Rights Act, a drain of any size, including a subsurface drain, is a water control work. It is an offence to build or operate water control works without a valid licence or registration certificate.[1][2]
Since the Water Rights Regulation was amended in October 2019, lower-risk projects can be registered instead of licensed. Projects that cannot be registered may still be authorized through a licence.[1]
Registration: Class B tile drainage
Agricultural subsurface tile drainage can be registered as a Class B project if it meets every requirement in the regulation.[3][4] In summary:
- A drainage coefficient of 3/8 inch or less over 24 hours, on agricultural land.
- Designed and signed by a person who has completed a tile drainage course approved by the minister.
- At least 50 m from the normal edge of a Class 3, 4 or 5 wetland, or a wetland under a conservation agreement.
- Average depth of all lateral pipe not more than 36 inches.
- A non-perforated header pipe.
- Every outlet fitted with a control device that can control or stop flow out of the tile.
- No drainage of Class 6 or 7 soils or unimproved organic soils.
No project can be registered if it would alter a Class 3, 4 or 5 wetland, move water between watersheds, harm fish habitat, conflict with an approved watershed plan or break a conservation agreement.[3][4]
What goes in an application
A registration application includes an aerial photo of the site with the legal land description, a detailed plan of the works, owner approval if you are not the landowner, and written approval from any landowner whose land your water will drain onto (unless an officer exempts it).[4] Depending on the project, consent may also be needed from the watershed district, the municipality, Crown Lands or Manitoba Infrastructure.[1]
One application can cover one section of land under the same ownership, or one contiguous project.[1]
Fees and timelines
As listed on the provincial page when we checked it in November 2026:[1]
| Registration certificate | Licence | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (non-refundable) | $100 | $500 |
| Timeline | Within 14 days if applied for online and complete | Depends on the queue, complexity and completeness |
You must have the registration certificate in hand before construction starts. Authorizations are typically issued in perpetuity, but they can be suspended or cancelled if their conditions are not followed.[1]
How to apply
The province strongly encourages applying through the online Water Licensing Portal. If you cannot use the portal, contact the Registrar at drainage@gov.mb.ca.[1][5]
We take care of it for you
We handle the drainage permits and licensing for you as part of the job, including the provincial registration or licence application. Some items, such as landowner approvals, need a signature from you or your neighbours. We will tell you what is needed.
This page is a general summary, not legal advice. Rules and fees can change. The official sources are the Province of Manitoba pages and regulation linked below.
Related pages
Sources
- Province of Manitoba, Environment and Climate Change, Drainage & Water Control
- The Water Rights Act, C.C.S.M. c. W80
- Province of Manitoba, What is a Registrable Project?
- Water Rights Regulation, Man. Reg. 126/87 (current consolidation, sections 10 to 14)
- Province of Manitoba, Water Licensing Portal
Last checked against the sources above: November 2026.