Ending long-term drinking water advisories in First Nations communities
How the Government of Canada is working to support First Nations to lift long-term drinking water advisories.
On this page
Progress since November 2015
Long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves as of October 21 2026:
158
advisories have been lifted since November 2015
39
advisories are currently in effect
37
communities have drinking water advisories
Status of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves as of October 21 2026
Text alternative for: Status of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves as of October 21 2026
- 80% advisory lifted
- 10% project to address advisory complete, lift pending
- 8% project to address advisory under construction
- 1% project to address advisory in design phase
- 1% feasibility study being conducted to address advisory
How drinking water advisories are lifted
Ending a long-term drinking water advisory is a complex process. The Government of Canada works in collaboration with First Nations to find solutions that are unique to each community. To address a water or wastewater issue causing an advisory, a community might need:
- repairs or upgrades to existing infrastructure
- construction of new infrastructure
- improved training and monitoring
Who decides when a drinking water advisory gets lifted
In most provinces, lifting an advisory is a decision made by First Nation leadership, informed by recommendations from Environmental Public Health Officers, local priorities, system conditions, and confidence in the safety of the water. Learn how advisories are lifted: Steps to lifting a drinking water advisory.
There are different types of drinking water advisories in First Nations communities. To learn more about why and when they are issued, visit About drinking water advisories.
Keeping drinking water systems safe for future generations
Initiatives are underway in each community to address the active long-term drinking water advisories.
Eliminating long-term drinking water advisories is just one part of ensuring First Nations communities have reliable access to safe drinking water. We are also supporting sustainable access to safe drinking water in First Nations communities by:
- investing in water and wastewater infrastructure
- keeping water systems running and properly staffed
- supporting First Nations' control of water delivery
The timeline of every water and wastewater infrastructure project differs. In some cases, completion of a new water treatment system can take up to 3 to 4 years to complete. To learn more about the different stages of community infrastructure projects, see the Life-cycle of a First Nations community infrastructure project.