The Government of Canada and First Nations communities are working in partnership to improve water infrastructure on reserves and support access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water.
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, provided the department's monthly progress update.
In January 2020, one long-term drinking water advisory was lifted, one short-term advisory was lifted and one drinking water advisory became long-term.
Lac Seul First Nation (Ontario) lifted a long-term drinking water advisory from the Kejick Bay water treatment plant on January 7, 2020. The drinking water advisory, in effect since February 2003, was lifted after the completion of a new water treatment plant in the community.
James Smith Cree Nation (Saskatchewan) lifted a short-term drinking water advisory from the James Smith Public Water System on January 10, 2020. The advisory, in effect since September 16, 2019, was lifted after membranes on the water filtration system were changed and normal operations were restored.
Resolving short-term advisories before they become long-term is an important part of the overall work to eliminate long-term drinking water advisories. Hundreds of water and wastewater infrastructure projects on reserves are underway across the country and completing these projects will lead to lifting more advisories as clean, reliable water is restored to First Nations communities.
Since November 2015, 149 short-term drinking water advisories (lasting between two and 12 months) have been lifted before becoming long-term.
A drinking water advisory put in place in January 2019 in Chippewas of Nawash First Nation (Ontario) became long-term on January 21, 2020. ISC is currently working with the First Nation toward development of a new water treatment plant.
Source : Government of Canada