arsenic

Campaign pushing for clean "effing water" in Indigenous communities gains steam

Campaign pushing for clean "effing water" in Indigenous communities gains steam

A campaign that was launched in December has started to gain steam, and the aim is to make people “give a f*ck” about Indigenous communities that don’t have clean drinking water. The censored version of the campaign is called “It’s Effing Water,” and it was started by social impact agency Public. The campaign suggests that there are nearly 70 Indigenous communities that are still without clean drinking water, and a petition to try and elevate the issue at a national level has gained almost 50,000 signatures.

Wet’suwet’en First Nation’s long-term boil water advisory lifted

Wet’suwet’en First Nation’s long-term boil water advisory lifted

The Wet’suwet’en First Nation’s long-term boil water advisory finally came to an end this March. In a news release issued by the First Nation, Chief Maureen Luggi and the elected council of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation announced that the long-term Permanent Boil Water Advisory for the nation had been lifted. The advisory was lifted on March 18. The ban had been in place since March 13, 2013 according to Indigenous Services Canada website and has now been resolved with upgrades to treatment processes and a feasibility study to determine long-term solution. The ban was put in place after arsenic was found in the water and the people were asked not to consume this water directly.

COVID-19 making it harder for Harrietsfield residents to access drinking water

COVID-19 making it harder for Harrietsfield residents to access drinking water

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it even harder for some residents in Harrietsfield, N.S., to get clean drinking water. The Halifax-area community's well water has been contaminated for years, forcing dozens of households to get potable water from nearby St. Paul's United Church or bring it home from work. With many businesses shut down and people working from home, that's no longer an option, said resident Marlene Brown.

Arsenic-leaking drillhole deliberately left unfixed by province, documents show

Arsenic-leaking drillhole deliberately left unfixed by province, documents show

A hole drilled for a mineral exploration company seven years ago is leaking contaminated water into the environment, and although the Nova Scotia government learned of the problem last year, staff decided not to fix it. The incident raises questions about how the province regulates exploration activities.