News Contamination Water Issues
Federal progress update on improving access to clean water in First Nations communities

Ottawa, unceded Algonquin Territory, Ont. — Indigenous Services Canada has provided an update on the progress toward clean drinking water in all First Nations communities. As of Aug. 3, 2021, 32 First Nations communities across Canada are working to resolve 51 long-term drinking water advisories.

The work continues and there are initiatives underway to ensure all First Nations communities have long-term, reliable access to safe drinking water. Lhoosk’uz Dene Nation in British Columbia has completed construction of a new water treatment plant, which will provide the community with clean water for years to come. ISC contributed funding of approximately $2.8 million to this project. Nibinamik First Nation in Ontario has started construction to upgrade and expand their water treatment system. When complete, this critical work will put the community in a position to resolve the long-term drinking water advisory that has been in effect since February 2013.

ISC also committed an additional $37 million for the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Water Treatment Plant project estimated at $59 million. This project will improve water infrastructure on reserve and support the lifting of the long-term drinking water advisory. ISC is also providing funding for two priority water and wastewater projects in Wabaseemoong Independent Nations. The Department will be providing an additional $2.4M for upgrades to the First Nation’s water treatment and water distribution systems that, once complete, will support the lifting of their long-term drinking water advisory. ISC will also be providing an additional $391,936 to support emergency repairs to the First Nation’s wastewater treatment plant and lift station.
Progress on eliminating all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves

Three short-term drinking water advisories in Saskatchewan, lasting between two and 12 months, have been lifted since July 6, 2021, including Birch Narrows Dene Nation and Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation. This brings the total to 186 short-term advisories prevented from becoming long term since November 2015.

Since November 2015:

67.9% of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves have been lifted.
20.7% of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves are being addressed by projects that are currently in the construction phase.
8.8% of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves are being addressed by projects where construction is complete. Final steps to lift these advisories are underway.
1.3% of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves are being addressed by projects that are in the design phase.
1.3% of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves are being addressed by a feasibility study to determine an appropriate solution.