This pressure is being fought by local cottagers and the City of Winnipeg, which has used the lake as its main source of safe drinking water for almost 100 years.

Shoal Lake falls under special and specific developmental guidelines in order to protect its water quality and unique wildlife.

[2] Before it is treated, water from Shoal Lake is stored in Deacon Reservoir, on the east side of the Winnipeg floodway, a few kilometres south of Highway 15.

[6] Access by maintenance staff to the Aqueduct has been provided by the Greater Winnipeg Water District Railway, operated by the City, since 1916.

In January 1913, a series of meetings was held between Winnipeg and the municipalities, who reached an agreement on draft legislation to form a water district.