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Four-year drinking water advisory ends for Sachigo Lake First Nation

Ottawa – A long-term drinking water advisory has been lifted for the Sachigo Lake First Nation after four years.

Upgrades and expansions to the community’s water infrastructure have been completed, ending inconvenience to more than 500 community members who had been affected since Oct. 19, 2018.

Sachigo Lake First Nation and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) have worked in partnership to invest approximately $29 million over a period of five years. Improvements to infrastructure included upgrading the existing water treatment plant, extending the community’s water distribution system, and expanding the wastewater lagoon.

A project team led by the chief and council of Sachigo Lake First Nation recruited professional services for the comprehensive feasibility study, and subsequently multiple contractors were hired to complete the construction and implement these long-term upgrades, allowing the chief and council to lift the long-term drinking water advisory.

These improvements ensure access to safe, clean drinking water for approximately 185 homes and several non-residential buildings, such as the band office, schools, teacherages, community hall, daycare and hockey arena.

“As people of the land, we understand firsthand how clean water is the starting point to all life,” Chief Robert Beardy, Sachigo Lake First Nation, said. “For the people of Sachigo Lake First Nation, potable water from which we can drink, bathe and cook has been a long time in coming. As chief, I am pleased that finally today, I can tell community members that the water is good, the water is drinkable and that the clean water flowing from our taps takes us one step closer towards fairness and equity, safety and well-being.