Ottawa continues to move forward on bringing safe, clean drinking water to aboriginal lands, having lifted 78-long-term drinking water advisories on public systems since 2015.
“In December 2018, progress continued as more long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve were lifted,” says Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services. “There is still a lot of important work ahead as we ensure that the remaining 62 long-term advisories are lifted before March 2021. Canadians can follow progress on our government’s commitment at www.canada.ca/water-on-reserve.”
Progress on lifting long-term drinking water advisories (CNW Group/Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC))
Work is underway to end the remaining 62 long-term advisories and prevent further short-term advisories from becoming long-term:
- Xeni Gwet’in First Nation in British Columbia lifted the long-term drinking water advisory at Lohbiee Indian Reserve No. 3 on December 11. A new water treatment system is producing drinking water that is now safe. The advisory had been in place since May 2001.
- Weenusk in Ontario lifted the long-term drinking water advisory on the Peawanuck Public Water System on December 20. Upgrades to the system provide safe drinking water. The advisory had been in place since February 2006.
- Cat Lake in Ontario lifted the long-term drinking water advisory at the Children’s Healing Centre on December 17. A new water treatment system was restored and commissioned to provide safe drinking water. The advisory had been in place since October 2006.
Additionally, three short-term advisories that were at-risk of becoming long-term were successfully lifted:
- Mishkeegogamang, in Ontario, lifted a short-term drinking water advisory on December 12 after repairs to the water treatment plant were completed. The advisory had been in place since May 2018.
- Woodland First Nation in Alberta lifted a short-term drinking water advisory on the community hall on December 17, 2018. The advisory had been in place since August 2018.
- Okanese First Nation in Saskatchewan lifted a short-term drinking water advisory on December 20 after minor repairs were made to the water treatment system. The advisory had been in place since March 2018.
As well, Grassy Narrows First Nation has decided to deactivate their teacherage well water system (#17219) which has had a drinking water advisory in place since 2013. As this system is no longer in use, it has been removed from the long-term drinking water advisory tracking. Indigenous Services Canada continues to work with the First Nation to end the other three long-term drinking water advisories on public systems in their community.
It is projected those advisories will be lifted by March 2020.
