The Government of Canada supporting improved access to drinking water in Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation

SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER FIRST NATION, ON, Feb. 5, 2018 /CNW/ - Everyone in Canada deserves access to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water.

Today, the Minister of Indigenous Services, the Honourable Jane Philpott, and Chief Ava Hill of the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation, announced a water main extension project which will expand the distribution of treated drinking water to two federally-operated schools on reserve.

The tendering process is already underway. Construction is expected to begin in March and be completed by the end of 2018. This project will allow for a direct connection from the water treatment plant to I.L. Thomas School, which treats well water on site, and O.M. Smith School, which receives trucked water. The project will also provide an opportunity for future connections to the water distribution system to more 400 homes currently on wells.

Quotes

"Everyone in this country deserves access to clean, reliable drinking water – something many Canadians take for granted. Our government is proud to work with Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation and to support their efforts to expand their water distribution system. I commend Chief Hill and council for their efforts in improving water distribution and the future vision for their community." 

The Honourable Jane Philpott
Minister of Indigenous Services

"The vision of the Six Nations Elected Council is to one day expand the water distribution system throughout the entire community. This is something we have strategically and tirelessly been working towards for well over a decade. There are many of our community members still relying on wells, and our water plant operators struggle and sacrifice daily to meet the community's water demands. Thankfully we were able to construct the new Water Treatment Plant and upgrade a critical piece of infrastructure over the past four years, to put us in the position where we can begin to extend the water main. This water main extension represents Phase One of our ultimate goal".

Chief Ava Hill
Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation

Quick Facts

• Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation is located approximately 25 kilometres southwest of Hamilton. It is the largest-population reserve in Canada with just under 13,000 residents.
• A new water treatment plant was opened in 2014. The Government of Canada provided more than $26 million to its design and construction, and Six Nations of the Grand River provided approximately $15.4 million.

Associated Links

• Lifecycle Process for an Infrastructure project
• Ending long-term drinking water advisories in First Nation communities

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SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Media may contact: Andrew MacKendrick, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, 819-956-5372; Media Relations, Department of Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160