Indigenous Services Provides Update on Water Advisories

[Canada] The federal government has shared the latest results in its efforts to end all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on Indigenous reserve by March 2021.

For the month of August 2018, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, provided the following update as part of the department’s monthly report on long-term drinking water advisories:

• A long-term drinking water advisory was added in Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, Ontario after a short-term advisory had been in place for twelve months. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is working with the community to make maintenance repairs to existing water infrastructure to restore safe drinking water.
• Since November 2015, 67 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted from public water systems on reserve, and 73 long-term drinking water advisories remain in effect.

In a press statement, the government reported that: “Developments this month demonstrate the complexity of the challenge facing First Nation communities and the Government of Canada as we work together to end long-term drinking water advisories. Water quality is not static and many First Nation communities face challenges with poor water sources, insufficient water and wastewater infrastructure and recruitment and retention of trained water system operators.”

The release went on to say, “While August may not have shown progress on the top-level number of advisories lifted, with support from Indigenous Services Canada, 359 water and wastewater projects to repair, upgrade or build infrastructure are now underway or complete in First Nation communities across the country. Another 51 water operator training and other supporting initiatives are underway or complete and 53 feasibility studies are underway to determine water and wastewater infrastructure needs.”

Minister of Indigenous Services, Jane Philpott was quoted as saying, “This month’s update on water advisories demonstrates […]

Full article: Indigenous Services Provides Update on Water Advisories

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