treatment plant

This First Nation was on water advisories for 24 years. Now, its treatment plant has won an award

This First Nation was on water advisories for 24 years. Now, its treatment plant has won an award

A northwestern Ontario First Nation that was under a boil-water advisory for 24 years has received this year's award for building the province's best small drinking water system. The Ontario Public Works Association presented the 2022 Public Works Project of the Year for Small Municipalities and First Nations award to Shoal Lake #40 First Nation, at a ceremony in Mississauga, Ont., Tuesday. The award recognizes the new Shoal Lake #40 water treatment plant as having uniquely provided opportunities for local procurement and employment.

Historical issues breed distrust of Squamish Cheekye reserve's water service

Historical issues breed distrust of Squamish Cheekye reserve's water service

For many of us, drinking water from the tap, taking a shower or flushing a toilet are things that are taken for granted. However, residents of the Cheekye, or Cheakamus 11, reserve say they are sometimes left wondering when and if those necessities are available to them. Those who live on that reserve say that their water infrastructure cuts out, leaving them dry and without any means to perform basic functions. When it does work, they say, it supplies them with water they don't trust.

'Really good news': Clean water a reality for 2 northwestern Ontario Indigenous communities

'Really good news': Clean water a reality for 2 northwestern Ontario Indigenous communities

After years of boil water advisories, clean drinking water is a reality for two northwestern Ontario Indigenous communities. A new water treatment plant in Regina Bay went online at the end of August, bringing an end to boil water advisories in the community. Another water treatment plant is nearing completion in Windigo Island, where the boil water advisory is expected to be lifted in early October.

First Nations communities pursue clean drinking water through the courts

First Nations communities pursue clean drinking water through the courts

This time of year, with the temperature plunging below -20 C, a snowmobile and an ice chisel are required tools for anyone in Tataskweyak Cree Nation in need of fresh water. There’s the bottled stuff, trucked into town courtesy of the federal government, but the weekly shipment of 1,500 cases is only sufficient to meet basic consumption needs. For cleaning, cooking and basic hygiene water, many residents need a supplementary source. And rather than use their tainted tap water, they follow a snowmobile trail several kilometres to Assean Lake, pails in hand.