Backgrounder - First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan

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Through the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan (FNWWAP), the Government of Canada will improve the health and quality of life of people in First Nation communities by assisting First Nations to provide better water and wastewater services to their residents. The two lead federal departments are Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and Health Canada.

Objectives

The objectives of the action plan are to ensure that:

• First Nation communities have an increased capacity to address potential water quality problems;
• there is a reduction in health risks associated with water quality and supply;
• First Nation community water and wastewater facilities are designed and built to meet federal requirements; and
• First Nation communities have increased confidence in the quality of their drinking water.

What is new?

The FNWWAP extends most elements of the March 2006 Plan of Action for Drinking Water in First Nations Communities, including:

• water quality monitoring in accordance with the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ);
• investments in water and wastewater facilities;
• investments in the on-going operations and maintenance of water and wastewater systems; and
• funding for third party water and wastewater systems operation under the Safe Water Operations Program, when required.

What is different?

The FNWWAP will also introduce several program enhancements, including:

• a national engineering assessment to determine the state of existing water and wastewater facilities. The assessment will propose solutions for every First Nations community in Canada (to be completed in 2009);
• consultations on a new federal legislative framework for safe drinking water;
• doubling the funding for the Circuit Rider Training Program in an effort to increase the number of Circuit Rider trainers from the current level of about 44 to over 70;
• INAC will modify existing policies and develop a protocol to facilitate investments in small water systems such as individual and community wells, trucked water, septic systems or agreements with neighboring municipalities to buy or provide water/wastewater services;
• investments in a National Wastewater Program; and
• waterborne illness procedures.

Construction and upgrades of water and wastewater systems

Through contribution agreements with First Nation communities, INAC will fund the construction and upgrading of high risk and medium risk water and wastewater infrastructure systems on reserves. This includes water intakes, water and wastewater treatment and distribution systems. Related work around introducing standards and a protocol for small water and wastewater systems (including individual and community wells, trucked water and septic systems) will permit the funding of small systems, where appropriate. Health Canada will assist in the review of system design from a public health perspective.

Engineering assessment

A national assessment will be undertaken by INAC, working jointly with First Nations, to evaluate water and wastewater services in all First Nation communities and recommend the best options for future services for each community. INAC expects to complete the national assessment in 2009, with results to be made public shortly thereafter.

Improvements to operation and maintenance practices

Through contribution agreements with First Nation communities, funding will be provided to improve operation and maintenance (O&M) practices for water and wastewater facilities. INAC will also work to ensure that funding for O&amo;M is applied to water and wastewater systems.

Expansion and enhancement of training

INAC will continue to train more water operators and nearly double the number of trainers in the Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP).

Monitoring and public awareness

The extension of funding to Health Canada will help the department to continue to assist communities with monitoring all distribution systems with five or more connections, cisterns and community wells, consistent with the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality and best management practices.

Health Canada is also planning to enhance monitoring activities, including a National Wastewater Program and public awareness and risk communication activities.

Standards

INAC will develop and refine protocols, which will set out clear standards to guide First Nations in the planning, design and operations of water systems, wastewater systems and small systems (such as wells and septic systems). Health Canada will introduce a Waterborne Illness Protocol to address potential waterborne threats to human health in First Nations communities south of 60°.

Legislative framework consultations

INAC will lead a consultation process with First Nations communities and organizations, as well as with provincial/territorial representatives, to create a legislative framework for drinking water and wastewater on reserve.