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First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan

The First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan (FNWWAP) was introduced in 2008. FNWWAP provided $330 million in water and wastewater funding over two years for treatment facility construction and renovation, operation and maintenance of facilities, training of operators and related public health activities on reserve. On May 26, 2010, the Government of Canada announced that FNWWAP was extended for two more years until 2012, providing an additional $330 million to improve drinking water in First Nations communities.

Through the FNWWAP, the Government of Canada is improving 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 Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) and Health Canada.

Key components of FNWWAP include:

investments in infrastructure projects to address water and wastewater needs and to maintain existing systems;
investments in the on-going operations and maintenance of water and wastewater systems;
funding for the hands-on training of treatment plant operators, to increase the number of certified water treatment system operators;
water quality monitoring in accordance with the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ);
support for water and wastewater-related public health activities in First Nation communities on reserve; and
funding for third-party water and wastewater systems operation under the Safe Water Operations Program, when required.

Progress on Water Initiatives

The Government of Canada continues to move forward with several of the program enhancements announced in 2008, such as implementing the National Assessment of Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nation Communities and developing a federal legislative framework for safe drinking water.

The National Assessment surveyed the water and wastewater systems of 97 per cent of First Nation communities in Canada. .Site visits in the 571 participating First Nations began in September 2009 and concluded in November 2010.

On July 14, 2011, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development announced the results, which will enable First Nations and the Department to focus resources on priorities and improve the provision of safe drinking water in First Nation communities.

Bill S-11, the proposed Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act was introduced in Parliament in May, 2010 and died in committee on Second reading on March 26, 2011 as a result of the dissolution of Parliament. The legislation would have made it possible for the Government of Canada, in collaboration with First Nation communities, to develop enforceable federal regulations which will address the provision of safe drinking water, effective treatment of wastewater and protect sources of drinking water in First Nation communities.

The development of federal regulations that will ensure that First Nations have the same health and safety protection for drinking water in their communities as other Canadians remains a priority of the Government of Canada.

Construction and upgrades of water and wastewater systems

Through contribution agreements with First Nation communities, AANDC funds the construction and upgrading of 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. The Water and Wastewater Policy and Level of Service Standards guides these investments. Health Canada assists with the review of system design from a public health perspective.

Improvements to operation and maintenance practices

Through contribution agreements with First Nation communities, AANDC is providing funding to improve operation and maintenance (O&M) practices for water and wastewater facilities.

Expansion and enhancement of training

AANDC continues to provide funding to train more water operators and to increase the number of trainers in the Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP). The Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP) is an important vehicle by which First Nations operators receive ongoing, on-site training and mentoring on how to operate their drinking water and wastewater systems. AANDC has increased funding to hire more Circuit Rider Trainers (CRTs) to ensure CRTP services are available to all First Nations communities. As of fall 2011, there were 64 CRTs.

The number of water treatment system operators who had 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.

Monitoring and public awareness

Health Canada assists communities to monitor 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 and Guidelines

In order to ensure that residents of First Nation communities have clean drinking water, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) has developed standards and guidelines to be used for all water systems destined to provide this vital element:

Water and Wastewater Policy and Level of Services Standards (Corporate Manual System)
The Protocol for Centralised Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities
The Design Guidelines for First Nations Water Works were developed to serve as a general guide to engineers in the preparation of plans and specifications for public water supply systems on First Nations Lands.
Protocol for Centralised Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
Protocol for Decentralised Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities

To ensure that on-reserve residents enjoy comparable standards of health and safety as neighbouring off-reserve residents, AANDC ’s protocols indicate that if a local provincial standard or regulation is more stringent than the requirement of the protocols, that the more stringent provincial requirements must be met.

What Information is Available?

Announcements regarding First Nation water issues
Progress reports on the Government of Canada's plan of action for drinking water in First Nation communities
Standards and guidelines