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First Nations Water Management Strategy (FNWMS)

  • Lead Department: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)
  • Start Date: May 2003 (official announcement)
  • End Date: March 2008 (end of additional funding)
  • Total Federal Funding Allocation: $1.6 billion over 5 years

Description

INAC and Health Canada (HC) have developed a seven-part First Nations Water Management Strategy (FNWMS) to be implemented over a five-year period, beginning in 2003–04. The strategy allows for the development and implementation of: (1) a plan to upgrade and build water and wastewater facilities to meet established design, construction and water quality standards with a priority on identified facilities; (2) an effective water quality monitoring program combined with a comprehensive and coordinated compliance and reporting regime that will improve the detection of drinking water problems in a timely manner thereby reducing the possibility of risk to health; (3) an effective and sustainable operation and maintenance (O&M) program designed to ensure the safety of the residents and the protection of the assets with a priority on identified high-risk facilities; (4) a plan for the continued expansion and enhancement of training programs, to ensure that all operators have the skills, knowledge and experience required to fulfill their responsibilities, supported by the introduction of mandatory certification requirements for all operators; (5) a set of integrated water quality management protocols with clearly defined roles and responsibilities consistent with national performance standards along with improvements in emergency response procedures; (6) a public awareness campaign aimed at informing both First Nation decision-makers of their roles and responsibilities in ensuring the safety of water supplies within their communities and First Nation households of measures they can take to protect the quality of water within their home and community; and (7) a comprehensive set of clearly defined standards, protocols and policies, using a multi-barrier approach.

The strategy will also require the establishment of closer partnerships amongst key federal, provincial/territorial, industry and other public sector partners. These partnerships will assist in areas such as watershed management and source water protection as well as advances in science and technology. Most importantly, the implementation of the strategy and the development of a detailed plan will require close collaboration with First Nations. The strategy is consistent with the broader national approach and is modelled on the enhanced management regimes in place or being implemented in most provinces and territories. The FNWMS includes an additional $600 million in funding over five years (from 2003–04 to 2007–08). Of that $600 million, $116 million goes to HC for their part in the strategy, while the remaining $484 million funds INAC's participation in the strategy. This $600 million in funding is in addition to INAC's normal annual funding to water initiatives in First Nations and HC's Drinking Water Safety Program (DWSP) funds which go to First Nations, which are also included in this template. Combining the FNWMS funds and the normal annual funding by both departments into First Nation water issues, the total federal funding allocated over 5 years will be $1.6 billion.

For more information, see Water Source of Life

Shared Outcome(s)

  • Reduction in the health risk level of drinking water in First Nations.
  • Increased awareness in the importance of clean drinking water and the responsibilities involved in keeping it clean.
  • Water standards will be met by all facilities.

Governance Structure(s)

  • Federal Advisory Committee (FAC) on municipal wastewater effluent.
  • Interdepartmental Waters ADM Committee (IWAC).
  • Interdepartmental Working Group on Drinking Water (IWGDW).
  • Public Health Indicators Working Group.
  • Regional Water Teams.
  • Strategic Water Management on Reserve Committee (SWMRC).
Federal Partners Involved in each Program Names of Programs Total Allocation Planned Spending for 2005–06 Expected Results for 2005–06
INAC First Nations Water Management Strategy $1.359 billion over 5 years (including FNWMS funds and A-Base) $280.2 million (including FNWMS funds and A-Base)
  1. Increase in the number of certified operators; all systems should be supervised by a certified operator by the end of 2005–06
  2. Decrease by roughly one third the number of high-risk systems; all high-risk systems should be corrected or in the process of being corrected by the end of 2005–06.
Health Canada Drinking Water Safety Program (DWSP) $116 million over 5 years (FNWMS funds only) $31.7 million (FNWMS funds and A-Base)
  1. Increased capacity of First Nations to monitor drinking water quality.
  2. Purchase of lab kits.
  3. Increase FTEs to support drinking water quality monitoring.
  4. Purchase supplies for lab kits.
  5. Implementation of early warning database.
  6. Investigate waterborne diseases and contaminants.
  n/a Total $1.475 billion (does not include HC A-Base) Total $311.9 million n/a


Results to be Achieved by Non-federal Partners

Not applicable

Contact Information

Contact Information
Garry Best
Director, Infrastructure Operations
Les Terrasses de la Chaudière
Room 17 E
Telephone: 819-994-2210
Fax: 819-997-8522
Email: BestG@ainc-inac.gc.ca

Date Modified:2010-09-15

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