Blog
Latest news about the Safe Drinking Water Team
The Atlantic First Nations Water Authority has signed a transfer agreement with Indigenous Services Canada to take over water and wastewater management in 17 First Nations in the region. The communities will still need a ratifying vote to officially come aboard but Chief Ross Perley of Neqotkuk, a Wolastoqey community 120 kilometres northwest of Fredericton, said the agreement signed Nov. 7 in Halifax represents much-needed empowerment for First Nations.
Water services in Wahta Mohawk Territory have seen a lot of improvements recently. With input from the Wahta Mohawks Chief and the director of public works, Wahta Mohawks communications officer Sean Molnar provided information about the community’s water services. Wahta’s water systems include water wells and treatment systems. There are two types of water systems: those owned and managed by Wahta — located in buildings like the Administration Building, Cultural Healing Centre, Nursing Station, Public Works Shop, ICG Building, and rental units — and those owned and managed by private homeowners and businesses.
Water services are being restored in Hay River, N.W.T., as the premier, minister of municipal and community affairs, and MLAs for Hay River and the Dehcho region prepare to visit the flood-stricken community on Monday. Lift Station No. 1, which serves much of the town, was brought back online Sunday after "extensive electrical and mechanical work" was completed over the weekend. The lift station was almost completely submerged during flooding earlier this month.
A city plan to improve water services to Indigenous communities is heading downstream. Barrie city council approved a motion Monday night to consult with Indigenous communities, including the Barrie Native Friendship Centre and the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle, on the possibility of dedicating 0.2 per cent of its water and wastewater revenue forecast in the 2022 budget toward Water First, and that organization’s efforts to improve water services in First Nations communities.
A plan to improve water service in Indigenous communities has dried up, for the time being. City council deleted a motion from its agenda Monday to dedicate 0.2 per cent of its 2022 water and wastewater revenue -- about $100,000 or $1.77 per Barrie household -- toward these improvements. Council is inviting Water First, a Creemore-based non-government organization, to make a presentation to the city’s finance and corporate services committee on its program to train young Indigenous people from reserves to become certified in operating a water plant through a 15-month paid apprenticeship. This is where the $100,000 could have been spent.
