Long-term drinking water advisories facts for kids

In Canada, many First Nations communities have faced long-term drinking water advisories (DWAs) for many years. A long-term drinking water advisory is a warning about unsafe tap water that has been in place for over a year.

These warnings are put in place when a community's water system isn't working properly. This can happen because of broken equipment or problems with how the water is treated. For example, if the water isn't cleaned enough, or if there isn't someone trained to test the water quality.

There are three main types of water advisories:

• Boil water: You must boil your water before using it for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth.
• Do not consume: You should not drink the water, even if boiled.
• Do not use: You should not use the water for anything, including bathing.

From November 2015 to September 2021, 117 long-term water advisories were lifted. However, 45 advisories were still active in 32 communities.

Why Do Water Advisories Happen?

Water advisories are often issued for several reasons. These include problems with disinfection (cleaning the water), equipment failures, or issues with the quality of the water source itself. Sometimes, it's because there aren't enough trained people to run the water system or test the water.

A Look Back: History of Water Advisories

For a long time, Canadian governments have tried to solve the problem of unsafe water in First Nations communities. But they haven't fully fixed the issues with water pipes and cleaning systems. This lack of good water systems also makes it harder to build enough homes on reserves, leading to housing shortages.

For nearly 20 years (from 1996 to 2015), the government department that funded water systems for First Nations had a strict limit on how much its budget could grow. It was only allowed to increase by 2% each year. This happened even if the population grew, prices went up, or communities needed more money. This limit made it very hard to improve water systems.

By November 2015, there were 105 long-term water advisories in First Nations communities.

In 2016, a group called Human Rights Watch said that while most Canadians have access to safe drinking water, many First Nations communities on reserves did not. They noted that many of these water advisories had been in place for years, some even for decades. For example, the Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario had a boil water advisory since 1995. Shoal Lake 40 First Nation had been under an advisory for 20 years.

In March 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised about $4.6 billion over five years to improve water and wastewater systems in Indigenous communities. Since then, more than $3.5 billion has been spent on over 600 water projects. This money has helped repair and expand systems, train staff, and provide ongoing funding for maintenance.

In December 2020, the Minister of Indigenous Services, Marc Miller, announced another $1.5 billion investment. This money aims to ensure clean drinking water in First Nations communities.

By September 2021, 117 advisories had been lifted since November 2015. Most of the remaining advisories were in Ontario (24), Saskatchewan (4), and Manitoba (3).

Recent Changes to Water Advisories

As of December 29, 2022, a total of 137 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted since November 2015. At that time, 32 advisories were still active in 28 communities.

Some recent changes include:

• On December 1, 2022, the advisory for Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation in Ontario was lifted.
• On October 12, 2022, the advisory for Sachigo Lake First Nation was lifted.
• In December 2022, new long-term advisories were issued for Fort Severn First Nation and Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.

Water Advisories by Province

British Columbia

As of January 2021, there were 18 water advisories in 18 First Nations in British Columbia. These included both boil-water and do-not-consume advisories. Communities affected included Semiahmoo First Nation, Xeni Gwet'in First Nation, and Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation.

Manitoba

By September 2021, the Mathias Colomb First Nation, Tataskweyak Cree Nation, and Shamattawa First Nation were still under water advisories. The advisory for Sapotaweyak Wahta was lifted in May 2021 after a new water treatment plant was built.

Ontario

In March 2021, most of the 55 communities under a water advisory were in Ontario.

By September 2021, advisories were still active in many Ontario First Nations. Some of these included Anishnaabeg of Naongashiing, Bearskin Lake First Nation, Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, Deer Lake First Nation, Neskantaga First Nation, Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, and Sandy Lake First Nation.

Asubpeeschoseewagong First Nation

In the 1960s and 1970s, a chemical plant near Dryden, Ontario dumped a large amount of mercury into the English and Wabigoon Rivers. This made the fish unsafe to eat and caused serious health problems for the Grassy Narrows First Nation community. For three generations, the community has been affected by this contamination.

Constance Lake First Nation

A new water treatment plant was built for Constance Lake First Nation near Hearst, Ontario. The federal and Ontario governments, along with the First Nation, helped pay for it. The water advisory, which had been in place since 2014, was lifted in 2016.

Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation

The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation have been under a water advisory since 2008. This was due to bacteria and algae in their water. During a dry period, many of their wells dried up.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, the cost of a new water main project increased. In December 2020, the federal government announced new funding to help extend water pipes from a nearby town and the First Nation's own water treatment plants. This project will connect 86 homes and several community buildings, helping to lift five long-term water advisories in the community. By 2021, about 2,200 people lived on the reserve, and many families were waiting for affordable housing.

Saskatchewan

By September 2021, there were only a few communities with water advisories in Saskatchewan. These included Little Pine First Nation, Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation, Peepeekisis Cree Nation, Star Blanket Cree Nation, and Okanese First Nation. Advisories in White Bear First Nation, Little Saskatchewan First Nation, and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation were lifted in 2021.