Since 2016, more than $3.5 billion was allocated for water and wastewater infrastructure, which included funding for "more than 600 water and wastewater projects." Infrastructure has been repaired, expanded, or replaced, training has been strengthened across the country, and additional funding for operations and maintenance is being allocated to communities. [6]
On December 2, 2020 Marc Miller, the minister, announced additional investments of over $1.5 billion to "ensure clean drinking water in First Nations communities."[7]
The total number of drinking water advisories had decreased by 55% from 2015 to 2020—from a baseline number of 105 in November 2015 to 58 in 35 communities by September 2020.[7] Of these 58 advisories, 3% are being reviewed in a feasibility study, 10% are in design phase, 53% are under construction, and 33% cases the lifting of the advisory is pending.[8] A long-terms drinking water advisory refers to advisories that have been in place for over a year. These advisories occur "when a water system is not functioning well—"because of equipment malfunction and/or operational issues which prevent the system from treating water to the required quality".[7]
DWAs are put in place if a water line breaks, if there is equipment failure, or if there is "poor filtration or disinfection when water is treated."[9] A DWA may be issued if the community does not have "someone trained to run the water system", or "someone trained to test and ensure the quality of the drinking water."[9] There are three types of advisories—boil water, do not consume, and do not use.[9]
According to the First Nations Health Authority, in British Columbia, there are DWAs in 18 First Nations in 18 Water Systems—ten "Boil Water Advisories" and eight "Do Not Consume" advisories, as of January 31, 2021.[11] This list "includes water systems with 5 or more connections (CWS) and smaller water systems that have public facilities (PWS)." Affected communities include the Semiahmoo First Nation, Xeni Gwet'in First Nation, with from 26 to 50 people affected, and Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation, where some 51 to a 100 are affected.
"Ending long-term drinking water advisories"(interactive resource; notice; promotional material; search interface). Indigenous and Northern Affairs. September 27, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2021. Updated detailed information on responses to DWAs.