Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) provides funding to First Nation communities to support them in developing and retaining the capacity to operate and maintain water and wastewater systems. Funding supports ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) of systems the department has helped First Nations to build. AANDC also funds First Nations and First Nations technical organizations to train operators, to provide certified oversight for facilities without certified operators, and to support the Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP).

Improving the management of water and wastewater systems helps to:

• ensure standards for health and safety are met
• increase reliability of systems
• ensure efficient operation
• decrease the number of drinking water advisories (DWAs)
• improve the life span of infrastructure

Training initiatives

AANDC provides funding for operator training courses and for operator certification testing and registration costs in all regions. Training helps ensure that operators have the level of training and skills required to operate and maintain water and wastewater systems. Responsibilities of the water operators include sampling and testing to continuously monitor drinking water quality and to take corrective action when required. Operators are also responsible for documenting maintenance and monitoring activities.

AANDC has undertaken initiatives across the country to support First Nations individuals train to operate water and wastewater systems in their communities including:

• In British Columbia, AANDC regional staff worked with Thomson Rivers University to develop a First Nations-oriented four-year university program for training operators. The first 14 students graduated in 2010.
• In Quebec, AANDC officials worked with partners to develop a First Nations-oriented training program leading toward operator certification.
• In Manitoba and other regions, the department funds training to help operators obtain high-school equivalency, which operators need in most regions in order to become certified.

Circuit Rider Training Program

AANDC’s Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP) provides First Nations operators with ongoing, on-site training and mentoring on how to operate their drinking water and wastewater systems. CRTP provides qualified experts who rotate through a circuit of First Nation communities, providing hands-on training for the operators on their own systems. Circuit Rider Trainers (CRTs) also help First Nations with minor troubles and issues related to the operation and maintenance of their systems.

The Circuit Rider Training Program is offered to all First Nation communities across Canada through a variety of partners and service providers including private companies, tribal councils, and First Nation technical organizations. It has expanded to include assistance to operators of wastewater systems. In addition, CRTs also support 24-hour hotlines, which operators can rely on for advice during normal operations as well as during emergencies.

When the CRTP is not sufficient by itself to ensure safe drinking water, direct third-party oversight is provided through the Safe Water Operations Program. In some areas, Circuit Rider Trainers provide the Safe Water Operations Program oversight while in others, it is undertaken by private sector service providers.

The CRTs often help First Nations coordinate certification training of their systems operators. Sometimes, they provide advice to Chiefs and Councils helping them understand their responsibilities with respect to management and operation of their water systems. AANDC also assisted in the establishment of the Circuit Rider Trainers Professional Association   in March 2009. This Association has created a network of CRTs to share best practices, training materials, and provide mutual support.

Expansion and enhancement of training

AANDC has increased funding to hire more Circuit Rider Trainers (CRTs) to ensure CRTP services are available to all First Nations communities. In 2009, 11 additional CRTs were hired, bringing the total number of CRTs to 65. 

The number of First Nations operators who are certified, trained but not yet certified, or in-training toward certification is steadily increasing. The number of water treatment system operators who achieved the first level of certification or greater increased from 35 per cent of all operators (392 operators) in November 2006 to 60 per cent of all operators (683 operators) as of March 2010.

What Information is Available?

• Progress reports
• Announcements
• Water Chronology
• Relevant links