3 First Nation drinking water warnings lifted with opening of new corner inlet treatment plant

Three Long-Term Drinking Water Advisories at Northwest Angle No. 33 First Nation have been disbanded following the construction of a new water treatment plant in Angle Inlet, Ontario.

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) said in a July 4 press release that the new centralized water treatment plant will provide “reliable access to safe and clean drinking water for 100 residents” and has the capacity to support future population growth over the next two decades.

“This community-led project includes construction of a water treatment plant, raw water intake and upgrades to the distribution system,” said ISC, which provided approximately $19 million in funding for the project.

ISC said the community has hired training operators to maintain and operate the new plant. “The ISC-funded centralized water and wastewater hub, provided by Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council, trains and mentors other members of the community. Currently there is one certified operator,” said ISC.

According to the department, First Nations has lifted 142 longstanding drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves since 2015 and is working with the federal government to address another 28 advisories that are still in effect across Canada.

Short term advice automatically become lengthy after being in effect for a year, and residents in any area with an advisory should boil their drinking water to make it safe.

“Access to clean drinking water is an inherent right for everyone,” ISC said in the press release.

Northwest Angle No. 33 First Nation Chief Darlene Comegan said despite “a number of challenges to complete this new water treatment plant, this project will provide clean and reliable drinking water to our Angle Inlet community now and in the future.”

Ms. Comegan called it a “major achievement” and thanked those involved in the project.

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu said: “Working with communities and their leadership, we are doing what is necessary to resolve this and provide access to clean drinking water for everyone.”

northwest angle no. 33 consists of two communities on opposite sides of Lake of the Woods, in the Kenora area of ​​northwestern Ontario, close to the Manitoba border. The new water treatment plant at Angle Inlet, on the west side of the lake, is accessible only by water, air, or ice road in winter.

Another community, Dog Paw, on the east side of Lake of the Woods, is served by an existing water treatment plant.

Drinking water advisories were issued in April 2011 for the Elsie Blackhawk Pumphouse and the East Pumphouse and in February 2016 for the West Pumphouse. All three advisories were lifted on 14 June.