Ending long-term drinking water advisories

Semiahmoo First Nation (BC) has lifted a long-term drinking water advisory that affected their community water system. The advisory, set on October 13 2005, was lifted on March 31, 2021 after work was completed to connect the community to the municipal water system in nearby Surrey. Work to connect the community included remediating and reconstructing a road to enable new water and sewer pipes to be installed. 31 homes and 6 community buildings now have access to safe and reliable drinking water.

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has lifted a long-term drinking water advisory affecting the Chief Joseph Custer distribution system. The advisory, in place since August 2019, was lifted on March 22, 2021, after recent water samples at the affected homes and buildings showed satisfactory chlorine residuals, acceptable bacteriological results and safe drinking water quality. The First Nation receives treated water from the City of Prince Albert, however the distribution pipes within the reserve are at the end of their service life. The project to upgrade the distribution system for the long-term is underway.

Little Saskatchewan First Nation has lifted a long-term drinking water advisory affecting their band office water system. effective March 23, 2021. The advisory, in place on a well serving the band office since September 2019, was lifted on March 23, 2021 after the First Nation moved the office to a new location and connected the building to the community's piped water and sewer systems. The existing well has been decommissioned.

Wet'suwet'en First Nation has lifted a long-term drinking water advisory from the Palling Community Water System in British Columbia. The advisory, in place since March 13, 2012, was lifted on March 18, 2021 after interim upgrades to the existing water treatment plant to address elevated arsenic levels were completed. 25 homes and 6 community buildings, including the band office and the health center, now have access to reliable, clean drinking water.

Indigenous Services Canada is supporting the community to implement a long-term solution including new wells and a new water treatment plant. Work is currently underway.

A drinking water advisory in Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation (Sasktachewan) on the Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation Public Water System became long-term on March 9, 2021, after being in place for more than 12 months. The advisory was initially recommended due to a water line break and loss of pressure to the distribution system. The First Nation has maintained the advisory due to occasional disruptions caused by construction shutdowns, power outages, and seasonal high chlorine demand, and has indicated the advisory will remain in place until the new water treatment system has been completed. ISC is currently working with the First Nation to construct a new water treatment plant. The project is nearing substantial completion, but it has been delayed as a result of COVID-19-related issues.