Chief Sayers of Batchewana First Nation and Terry Sheehan, member of parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, announced that the design phase is underway on a new water treatment plant for Batchewana First Nation.
Sheehan made the announcement on behalf of Seamus O’Regan, minister of indigenous services.
“The start of the design phase is an important milestone for the new water treatment plant in Batchewana First Nation,” said Seamus O’Regan, minister of indigenous services. “I commend Chief Sayers and Council for their leadership on this important initiative, which will provide clean water to nearly 200 members of their community.”
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is providing $320,000 for this phase of the project, which includes the design of a water treatment plant in Goulais Mission and decentralized water systems in Obadjiwan, as well as support for the First Nation to advance to the construction phase of the project.
“Our members have been waiting for safe drinking water from the tap, and while the process took longer than we hoped, we are thrilled to see the design phase underway and are optimistic to see the completion of the project,” said Chief Dean Sayers of Batchewana First Nation.
Quick Facts
- Batchewana First Nation is located near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and has four settlements: Goulais Bay, Rankin, Obadjiwan, and Whitefish Island.
- Once complete, the water treatment plant would service Goulais Mission. Obadjiwan would have a decentralized system, which cleans and filters water directly at the point of entry of each residence.
- On December 17, 2018, Batchewana First Nation selected ARCADIS Canada Inc. as the project’s design consultant.
