KASHECHEWAN UPDATE

 

2-02722

KASHECHEWAN FIRST NATION, ONTARIO (October 25, 2005) - The Government of Canada has taken immediate steps to rectify the water supply and quality problems at the community of Kashechewan in Northern Ontario.

Water samples taken between October 17, 2005 and October 19, 2005 indicate no e-coli or coliform bacteria present in the community’s water supply. As of today, turbidity levels are also within provincial standards. However, the Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect until repairs to the plant are complete.

Indian and Northern Affairs is implementing a detailed action plan to be updated and adjusted daily according to community needs. The goal is to ensure a continuing supply of clean, safe drinking water to the community of Kashechewan from its water treatment plant.

The Action Plan includes the following steps:

• continuing bottled water shipments to the community until the water treatment plant is providing clean, safe drinking water on a continuous basis;
• continuing the deployment of certified water treatment plant operators (who have been in the community since October 15) to stabilize plant operations;
• expediting ongoing repairs that will result in removal of the Boil Water Advisory;
• initiating a detailed study by a consulting engineer of:
  • the quality of the source water at the water treatment plant intake,
  • the flow of rivers in the area and their impact on water intake,
  • the feasibility of temporarily relocating the water plant intake; and
  • the current state of the sewage treatment lagoon, and recommended repairs needed to the infrastructure.

Also, Health Canada has today dispatched a community medicine specialist and Senior Environmental Health Officer to the community. And the Government is consulting Nishnawbe Aski Nation regarding counselling for individual residents.

As of Monday October 24, 2005, Indian and Northern Affairs is making arrangements to deliver 1500 - 18 litre bottles to Kashechewan daily.

For further information, please contact:

Natalie Pennefather
Acting Director, Executive Services and Communications
INAC Ontario Region
(416) 973-1294

Tony Prudori
Acting Senior Information Officer
INAC Ontario Region
(807) 624-1531