One of the contenders for the Manitoba NDP leadership has promised to protect the province's water from privatization.

Steve Ashton stood in the lobby at Winnipeg City Hall Friday morning, saying he would introduce legislation on the issue.

The so-called Public Water Use Protection Act would ensure the city's water utility remains public, and that all financial dealings are made public.

In July, Winnipeg city council voted 10-6 to set up a utility that would be arms-length from politicians.

During that debate, dozens of delegations appeared to oppose what they saw as the privatization of the city's water system.

"I want to indicate, as premier, our government will start on the basis of protecting public use of water. We will not support privatization either directly or by stealth," Ashton said. "In fact, we will treat the water of Manitoba the same way we treat Manitoba Hydro."

He was joined at his announcement by Coun. Russ Wyatt, who was introduced as the chair of Ashton's leadership campaign.

Wyatt was one of the six councillors who voted against the controversial new water utility during a nine-hour marathon meeting.

There is no date set as to when the utility is set to take effect. It is expected to take several months as it must first go through a provincial regulatory process.

Following Ashton's press conference, Mayor Sam Katz told reporters has was confused by Ashton's stance because there is no intention to privatize the utility.

The public-private partnership will mean it remains 100 per cent city-owned but operated by the arm's-length organization, which will control the infrastructure and receive the revenue from ratepayers, he said.

He said there are already provincial laws in place that prevent privatization and council has abided them all.