Another Indigenous Community Gets Clean Drinking Water After 17 Years

Lac Seul First Nation, located approximately 40 kilometres west of Sioux Lookout, has reason to celebrate as they finally have access to clean and reliable drinking water straight from the tap. Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, Chief Derek Maud, and the Lac Seul First Nation community celebrated the grand opening of the new water treatment plant in Kejick Bay. The new facility has put an end to a 17-year-long drinking water advisory.

Since the Federal Liberal government’s election, the Government of Canada has been working in partnership with First Nations communities to improve water infrastructure on reserves and provide access to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water. The government invested approximately $4.7 million in Indigenous Services Canada to support the new water treatment plant project in Lac Seul First Nation.

The new water treatment plant provides clean and reliable drinking water to approximately 350 residents and eight community buildings in Kejick Bay. The plant was designed to meet current federal and provincial drinking water regulations and is capable of future expansion. The existing water treatment plant has been decommissioned.

Minister Marc Miller shared his excitement for the opening of the new water treatment plant stating, “Lac Seul First Nation has waited 17 years to have clean water. Today was a beautiful day to celebrate the opening of their new water treatment plant and celebrate with a glass or two of fresh water!”

Chief E. Derek Maud expressed his gratitude and said, “This has been a long and difficult process; however, I am thrilled that the new water treatment plant at Kejick Bay is complete, and that after 17 years members can drink safe, clean water straight from the tap. Thank you to our members for their patience, and to the elders and leadership for your support during this important project.”

The Small Communities Fund (SCF) delivered through Infrastructure Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure provided more than $3.6 million toward the new water treatment plant project in Lac Seul First Nation. The federal government has committed an additional $2.19 billion through 2020-2021 to end long-term drinking water advisories on reserve public systems. Since Budget 2016, 88 long-term advisories have been lifted, and 574 water and wastewater projects have been initiated or completed. These projects include new, upgraded, or repaired infrastructure and feasibility and design studies to ensure First Nations have the right infrastructure systems in place for growing communities. To date, 265 projects have been completed, and another 309 are underway, benefitting 606 First Nations communities across the country.

The grand opening of the new water treatment plant in Kejick Bay marks a significant milestone for Lac Seul First Nation as it puts an end to a 17-year-long drinking water advisory. The project is part of a larger initiative to improve water infrastructure on reserves and provide access to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water to First Nations communities across Canada. With continued government funding and support, more communities will have access to clean drinking water and improved water infrastructure for years to come.