CORNWALL ISLAND, ONTARIO (August 4, 2006) - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, in conjunction with the Mohawks of Akwesasne Grand Chief, Timothy Thompson, today announced the official opening of a state-of-the-art water treatment plant and distribution centre at Cornwall Island, part of the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne.
"Today, we are celebrating the opening of a new water treatment plant and the success of a collaborative process," said Minister Prentice. "We are opening a modern facility in a community that is a leader in establishing high standards, and demonstrating real progress on our action plan to improve water quality on reserves."
"As the elected Grand Chief, it is my responsibility to ensure the delivery of clean and safe water to members of this community," said Grand Chief Thompson. "It is a responsibility that requires assistance and support from many partners, including Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. These working partnerships place us in a better position to have the tools and resources needed to fulfill our responsibilities. It was because of a thorough, collaborative approach that the water treatment plant became a reality ahead of expectation and on budget."
The estimated cost of the Cornwall Island water treatment plant and distribution system is approximately $13.1 million. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne contributed $2 million through its own Nation Building funding. The new water treatment plant has a design capacity water output of 2,250 m3 (or 500,000 gallons a day), and will service more than 1,000 local residents, with the capacity to serve over 3,000. With future plant retrofit and appropriate distribution system extensions, the plant will be capable of servicing over 6,900 residents.
The water treatment plant was designed using the multi-barrier approach, exceeding both federal and provincial standards. From the conceptual stage through to the completion of construction, this project was based on a collaborative process utilizing value engineering methodology and peer reviews ensuring value for dollar.
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has long recognized the importance of maintaining its infrastructure assets and, therefore, has continuously invested in the training of its operators.
On March 21, 2006, Minister Prentice announced a Plan of Action related to water quality on
First Nations, which includes:
implementation of a Protocol for Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Communities;
mandatory training for all water treatment plant operators and a regime to ensure that all water systems have the oversight of certified operators;
complete, specific remedial plans for First Nation communities with serious water issues, starting with 21 communities most at risk;
a panel of experts to advise on the appropriate regulatory framework; and
a clear commitment to report on progress on a regular basis.
Since 2003, INAC has invested more than $168 million in upgrading and building new water plant systems in Ontario. In 2006-2007, it will focus on investing and assisting First Nations in:
meeting water standards and regulations;
inspection and compliance; and
capacity development at the community level.
The Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne is located south of the City of Cornwall, and straddles the borders of Ontario, Quebec and New York State. The community has a population of 14,000 people.
For more information:
Deirdra McCracken
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice
819 997-0002
Peter Sero
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(416) 973-6222
Grand Chief Tim Thompson
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
(613) 575-2348
Jay Benedict
Director, Mohawk Government
Department of Technical Services
(613) 936-1548
