30 years under longest boil-water advisory in Canada, Neskantaga First Nation pushes for new treatment plant

Neskantaga First Nation in northwestern Ontario has been grappling with a boil-water advisory for over 30 years — the longest in effect in Canada. Chief Chris Moonias has been leading efforts to urge the federal government to fund a new water treatment plant for the remote Ojibway community.

The community’s water treatment plant was constructed in 1993, but just two years later, the boil-water advisory was issued due to high levels of chlorine and harmful disinfectant products. Despite nearly $30 million spent on upgrades since 2017, the plant still faces challenges in distributing clean water to residents.

Moonias emphasized the traumatic impact of the ongoing boil-water advisory on his people, affecting their mental health and leading to skin rashes due to showering with contaminated water. The community, with a population of about 350 people, has been relying on bottled water shipments at a significant cost.

A new water treatment plant is estimated to cost $52 million, and Moonias has submitted a project approval request to Ottawa. Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu has expressed support for the plan, but political uncertainties may pose further obstacles to resolving the issue.

In the context of the broader challenge of long-term boil-water advisories in Indigenous communities across Canada, Kerry Black, a researcher at the University of Calgary, emphasized the importance of community-led decision-making and sustainable funding. She highlighted the need for First Nations to have autonomy in addressing infrastructure challenges.

Moonias called for better drinking water standards in all First Nations and criticized the politicization of clean water access. He urged the incoming prime minister to prioritize resolving the crisis in Neskantaga and ensure that clean, safe drinking water is provided as a basic human right.

It is crucial to address the root causes of inadequate water infrastructure in Indigenous communities and prioritize community-led solutions to ensure sustainable access to clean water for all.