Ending long-term drinking water advisories

Mitaanjigamiing First Nation (ON) lifted a long-term drinking water advisory from the Mitaanjigamiing Public Water System on August 6, 2021. The advisory, in place since May 2020, was lifted after upgrades to the water treatment and distribution systems were completed.

The long-term drinking water advisory in White Bear First Nation in Saskatchewan was lifted, effective June 15, 2021. The advisory had been in effect since September 2011. A new water treatment plant was constructed to serve the community and in-home filters were removed from homes to ensure they did not become a cause of contamination. A total of 180 homes and 9 buildings now have reliable access to safe drinking water.

The long-term drinking water advisory affecting Sapotaweyak Cree Nation's public water system has been lifted, effective May 20, 2021. The community's existing plant, on which the advisory was initially placed, was undersized and required replacement. It is no longer in operation or supplying water to the community. Construction of a new water treatment plant, which will provide water for the community over the long term, has been completed and water sampling shows the water meets the required guidelines.

The drinking water advisory affecting the Okanese First Nation Public Water System became long term on August 28, 2021. The advisory was put in place following depressurization of the system during the connection of a new water line to the new community centre, and remained in effect due to issues maintaining pressure and chlorine residuals in the distribution system. Work is underway to address the issues. The membranes have been serviced and a new distribution pump has been installed. Issues with components of the treatment system have been discovered recently and a plan is being developed to make the necessary repairs. A capital project to upgrade the system to meet the long-term needs of the community is in the design phase.

The long-term drinking water advisory affecting Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation's Mudie Lake water system has been deactivated, effective April 1, 2021. A pipeline has been constructed from Ministikwan Lake's main water system and is providing water to Mudie Lake. The existing water treatment plant at Mudie Lake has been converted to a distribution pumping station. The 2 systems are now considered 1 system by the First Nation and the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, which provides environmental public health services to the First Nation.