Improvements to water systems are long overdue

The lack of safe water systems on reserves across Canada has long been a problem, and the federal government is hoping new measures and funding will help improve the delivery of clean drinking water in First Nations communities.
On April 15, the government announced $330 million will be devoted to a two-year investment into the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan (FNWWAP). Making the announcement in Ottawa were Chuck Strahl, minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Steven Fletcher, Parliamentary Secretary, on behalf of Health Minister Tony Clement.
"We want First Nations to have increased confidence in the quality of their drinking water, and we are committed to working in partnership with First Nations day-by-day to complete the work required on this important priority," Strahl said.
Strahl announced that a national engineering assessment will be undertaken by INAC, working jointly with First Nations, noting there currently isn't a good overall picture of what is needed. The point of the assessment is to evaluate water and wastewater services in all First Nations communities and to recommend the best options for services for each community in the future. INAC expects to complete the national assessment in 2009, at which point it will make the results public. The assessment will propose solutions for every First Nations community in Canada, the government said.
In addition, the new plan is supposed to see nearly doubled the number of trainers in the program that trains First Nations water operators. It is also intended to set clear standards for water and wastewater systems. Through contribution agreements with First Nation communities, INAC will fund the construction and upgrading of high-risk and medium-risk water and wastewater infrastructure systems. In addition, INAC will consult with First Nations and others regarding the creation of a federal legislative framework for drinking water and wastewater on reserve.
In terms of monitoring and public awareness, the extension of funding to Health Canada will help the department to continue to assist communities with monitoring all distribution systems with five or more connections, cisterns and community wells, it claims. Health Canada is also planning to enhance monitoring activities, including a National Wastewater Program and public awareness and risk communication activities.
In 2005, Canada's environment and sustainable development commissioner completed a report that examined the efforts to improve drinking water on reserves. Among other things, the report noted that 40 per cent of water operators on reserves lack proper training; there aren't any regulatory standards for drinking water on reserves as there are for other communities; and, parliament isn't kept properly informed about the issues.
Also in 2005, the Kashechewan water crisis in Northern Ontario called attention to the problem. The evacuation of residents from the community after high E. coli and attempts to treat it in drinking water systems caused problems and had a cost estimated at $16 million.
In 2006, a report on water quality in First Nations communities found that hundreds of drinking water systems were at risk although nearly $2 billion had already been spent on trying to improve the situation.
At that time, Jim Prentice - then federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs - vowed to ensure safe water on reserves. Since March of 2006, when an action plan on this issue was first launched, the government claims "significant progress" has been made.
In January, Strahl released a progress report outlining the results of the government's 2006 efforts. The number of systems considered "high-risk" had been reduced from 193 to 108; meaning 85 systems still fell under this classification.
In addition, 43 per cent of the more than 1,000 workers who operate water systems on reserves had received a Level 1 certification or greater in terms of their training - Level 4 is the highest - an increase from the eight per cent certified in March 2003.
In 2006, 21 communities were identified as "high-priority" and all but six of those have been removed from that status, the government said. In its progress report released January, the government explained that those that have been removed from the priority community category still have problems requiring attention, but some have witnessed the removal of drinking water advisories and others the proper certification and oversight, leading to reduction in priority status for each.
The six remaining communities are:
­ Pabineau, NB, where the government says a project to install individual treatment systems in all homes on reserve not meeting standards, as well as to make other upgrades, has been completed and Health Canada is currently reviewing whether or not the drinking water advisory should be lifted.
­ Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, QC, where over the next five years, the distribution system will be expanded to connect as many people as possible to the recently upgraded municipal system, but in the meantime, an advisory will remain in place.
­ Shoal Lake No. 40, ON, where the government has scheduled plans, but notes the First Nation hasn't responded to its offers of certified oversight. Construction on a new treatment plant is scheduled to begin this spring.
­ Muskrat Dam Lake, ON, where the government is also negotiating certified oversight with the First Nation and where INAC has "worked closely" with the First Nation to complete construction of water and sewer systems.
­ Northwest Angle No. 37, ON, where a drinking water advisory is still in place and a service provider has been selected to provide certified oversight for the water treatment plant operation. A contract is currently being finalized and, when in place, should result in a lower risk ranking for the community, the government says.
­ Kingfisher, ON, where work has been started to upgrade the water treatment plant - construction is slated to begin this spring or summer. A lower risk ranking and removal of drinking water advisory are expected with certified oversight here, as well.