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Shoal Lake 40 First Nation breaks ground on water treatment system

Shoal Lake 40, Treaty 3 (1873), Ont. – The federal government and First Nations recently celebrated the awarding of the contract for construction of a water treatment and distribution system designed to end seven long-term drinking water advisories that have been in place since February 1997, and bring a reliable supply of safe, clean drinking water to 292 residents.

On behalf of Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, Dan Vandal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, and Shoal Lake 40 Chief Erwin Redsky participated in a ground-breaking ceremony in the community in the Eastman Region of Manitoba and the Kenora District of Ontario.

The successful bidder was a joint venture firm, Shoal Lake 40 Contractors LP/Sigfusson Northern Ltd, following a competitive Indigenous-specific procurement process, Indigenous Services Canada said in a news release.

Indigenous Services Canada is contributing up to $33 million for the project, which includes construction of a water treatment plant, reservoir, raw water intake structure and lift station, as well as the installation of water main connections and some fire hydrants. Construction of the new water treatment system is anticipated to be completed by December 2020.

Indigenous Services Canada will invest $605.6 million over four years, starting in 2020-21, to support the operations and maintenance of water and wastewater infrastructure in First Nations communities. The investment includes an additional $184.9 million each year thereafter for operations and maintenance of First Nations’ community water and wastewater assets funded by the federal government. Funding allocations will be determined in partnership with First Nations.