Update on long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve through July 2018

OTTAWA, Aug. 2, 2018 /CNW/ - The federal government remains steadfast in its commitment to end all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve by March 2021.

For the month of July 2018, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, has provided the following update:

Progress on Lifting Long-Term Drinking Water Advisories (CNW Group/Indigenous Services Canada)

• One long-term drinking water advisory was lifted in Whitefish Lake First Nation in Alberta on July 3. An interim solution is being implemented with water trucks and new cisterns for the community while a new water treatment plant is under construction to meet the population's long-term needs.
• One long-term drinking water advisory was added in Fond du Lac in Saskatchewan. Indigenous Services Canada is working with the community to make maintenance repairs to existing water infrastructure and restore safe drinking water.

Through Budget 2016 and 2018 investments totalling almost $2 billion, 108 water and wastewater projects have been completed, with an additional 355 underway, in a total of 587 communities. It is projected that an additional 20 long-term drinking water advisories will be lifted by the end of 2018.

Quotes

"As we share regular updates on long-term drinking water advisories, some months will show more progress than others. However, the work underway to improving water systems that allows for long-term advisories to be lifted continues at full speed, with 463 water and wastewater projects completed or underway in 587 communities. Since November 2015, 67 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted, and we anticipate close to 20 more by the end of 2018. We remain steadfast and on track in our commitment to ensuring all long-term advisories on water systems on reserve will be lifted by March of 2021, and Canadians can follow progress at www.canada.ca/water-on-reserve."

The Honourable Jane Philpott, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

Quick Facts

• Budget 2016 provides $1.8 billion over five years to significantly improve on-reserve water and wastewater infrastructure, ensure proper facility operation and maintenance, and support training of water system operators. In addition, Budget 2016 included $141.7 million over five years in new funding to improve drinking water monitoring and testing on reserve.
• Budget 2018 provides an additional $172.6 million over three years to help accelerate progress on lifting drinking water advisories and to ensure more infrastructure projects can be completed by 2020 instead of 2021. Budget 2018 also proposes support for repairs to high risk water systems, recruitment, training and retention initiatives, and the establishment of innovative First Nations-led service delivery models.
• Since November 2015, 67 long-term drinking water advisories (those lasting one year or more) have been lifted from public water systems through the work done in collaboration with First Nation communities and other partners. Additionally, 34 drinking water advisories were added during that same time. ISC is working to address both long-term drinking water advisories affecting public systems on reserve and drinking water advisories at risk of becoming long-term.
• There are currently 72 long-term drinking water advisories affecting public systems on reserve.

Associated Links

• Ending long-term drinking water advisories in First Nation communities
• Long-term drinking water advisory lifted at Miawpukek First Nation
• Department of Indigenous Services Canada provides update on commitment to end long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve
• Lifecycle Process for an Infrastructure project
• Budget 2016: A Better Future for Indigenous Peoples
• Budget 2017
• Budget 2018

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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada

For more information, media may contact: Rachel Rappaport, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, 819-934-2796; Media Relations, Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160