Access to clean, safe and reliable drinking water is essential to health and well-being.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) work with First Nations and other partners to ensure the safety of water supplies in reserve communities through the First Nations Water Management Strategy. Read about the Plan of action for Drinking Water in First Nations communities and significant progress being made.

INAC also helps to protect water quality in Canada's North and is responsible for the management of water resources in and around Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.  The Government of the Yukon is responsible for Yukon water resources. 

What Information is Available?

See the INAC video The Creator's Gift: Good Water on the importance of clean and reliable drinking water.

Engagement Sessions on the Development of a Proposed Legislative Framework for Drinking Water and Wastewater in First Nation Communities. The Government of Canada will be holding engagement sessions with First Nation communities, First Nation organizations and provincial/territorial governments on the creation of a federal legislative framework for drinking water and wastewater on reserve.

You may also be interested in:

• Fact Sheet - Water Quality
• News Release: First Nations Water Top Priority For Government Of Canada - archived
• Water in the North
• Announcements
• Operation, Maintenance, Training
• Standards and Guidelines
• Links to related information on other websites