Indigenous Services Canada has released a May 2018 update on the federal government’s progress in ending long-term drinking water advisories for public water systems on reserves.
Ongoing investments from the federal government in water and wastewater infrastructure are helping to eliminate long-term drinking water advisories on these systems.
One long-term advisory was successfully lifted:
- Hollow Water First Nation in Manitoba lifted a long-term drinking water advisory on May 2
“Sixty-two long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted since November 2015. With almost $2 billion committed in Budgets 2016 and 2018, every remaining long-term advisory on public systems on reserve has work underway as we remain steadfast in and on track to lifting all by March of 2021,” said Minister of Indigenous Service Canada, Jane Philpott.
Additionally, two short-term advisories that were at-risk of becoming long-term were successfully lifted:
- Ojibway Nation of Saugeen in Ontario lifted a short-term advisory on May 1; and
- Sandy Bay First Nation in Manitoba lifted a short-term advisory on May 2
Finally, one drinking water advisory on a public system became long-term in May. Indigenous Services Canada is working with Tataskweyak Cree Nation in Manitoba to study the water source, upgrade the water treatment system, and ultimately restore safe drinking water to the community.
The federal government’s progress on ending long-term drinking water advisories can be followed through the website www.canada.ca/water-on-reserve.
