Language
Country/Area
No result found
Behind long-term drinking water advisories: Why are water resources so scarce in Canada's Aboriginal communities?
In Canada, many Indigenous communities have faced long-term drinking water advisories (DWAs) for decades. By definition, long-term water recommendations are those that last for more than one year. From November 2015 to January 19, 2024, 144 drinking water advisories have been lifted, but 26 communities still face 28 active advisories.
The main reasons for issuing drinking water advisories include disinfection (32%), equipment problems (30%), and microbiological quality (18%), according to Canada's Ministry of Health, the Federation of First Nations and the David Suzuki Foundation.
A DWA is issued when a water system is not operating properly and is unable to provide the required water quality due to equipment failure or operational issues. For example, a water pipe break or equipment failure could result in poor disinfection or filtration, triggering a water drinking advisory. Sometimes communities lack trained professionals to operate water treatment systems or test the quality of drinking water. There are three main types of DWAs: boil water advisory, water not recommended for use, and water not recommended for consumption.
Historical BackgroundSince 1977, various levels of federal government have investigated and provided funding for the issue, but have consistently failed to address the water and sanitation infrastructure issues that lead to the drinking water advisory. The limited water and sanitation infrastructure faced by Indigenous communities also impacts on-reserve housing shortages, which in turn leads to long housing waiting lists and overcrowding. Until infrastructure is upgraded, it will be difficult for communities to add housing.
Between 1996 and 2015, the Ministry of Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) capped annual spending on water and sanitation infrastructure at 2% per year in the base budget.
These funding restrictions were first imposed during the administration of Prime Minister Chrytien and continued under Harper. This practice was condemned by the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to water and sanitation, who warned that such funding caps could slow down or roll back the progressive realization of human rights.
Current Situation
By November 2015, 105 drinking water advisories were in effect, and a 2016 report noted that despite Canada being a water-rich country, many Indigenous communities had contaminated drinking water and limited access. In these communities, water safety advisories have persisted for years, even decades, with Neskantaga First Nation, for example, facing boil water advisories since 1995.
Many Indigenous communities’ water sources are threatened by faulty equipment or deficient treatment systems.
A drinking water advisory has been in place for Shoal Lake 40 First Nation for two decades, until March 2021. To improve the situation, the Canadian government pledged C$4.6 billion in 2016 to improve infrastructure, including water and wastewater systems, to charities and communities. With this funding, the Canadian government has pledged to improve water systems over the next five years.
Drinking water recommendations vary between provinces
Drinking water advisories vary between provinces. In British Columbia, for example, as of January 31, 2021, there were 18 First Nations communities with drinking water advisories in 18 water systems. Similar situations are also occurring in Manitoba and Ontario, where several communities are still facing drinking water difficulties.
Actively respond to and face future challenges
As of January 19, 2024, 144 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted since November 2015. However, challenges in solving the drinking water problem remain. Although the government has invested money and the quality of drinking water in some communities has improved, many communities still face the problem of insufficient basic water resources. New drinking water advisories are also issued from time to time, showing the great need among the community.
To ensure all communities have access to clean drinking water, governments and communities need to collaborate to improve water and sanitation infrastructure.
This series of challenges reflects that although we have made some progress in monitoring and improving the quality of drinking water in indigenous communities, whether we can truly solve the problem of water scarcity remains a major issue that needs to be addressed urgently.
