The Liard First Nation water treatment plant is equipped for treatment using greensand filtration to reduce hardness, iron, manganese, turbidity and chlorine disinfection to ensure safe drinking water, as identified in the current Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. The project included building wells, a water treatment facility, a truck bay garage and filling station, and emergency power supply.
AANDC worked with Liard First Nation to train people to operate, monitor, and maintain their drinking water systems and wastewater systems in the plant, through the Department’s Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP). This Program provides First Nation operators with ongoing, on-site training and mentoring on how to run their drinking water and wastewater systems. The Department invests approximately $10 million a year into the CRTP nationally.
The plant was constructed at a cost of $4,054,470. Funding for the plant came from the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan (FNWWAP), which was introduced in 2008. FNWWAP provides funding for treatment facility construction and renovation, operation and maintenance of facilities, training of operators and related public health activities for First Nation communities.
The Government of Canada is investing in water and wastewater infrastructure in First Nation communities through programs such as the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program, First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan, and Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
Between 2006 and 2014, the Government of Canada will have invested approximately $3 billion to support First Nation communities in managing their water and wastewater infrastructure and in related public-health activities.
The Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act – which received Royal Assent in June 2013 - will enable safe on-reserve drinking water and wastewater treatment by developing much needed regulatory safeguards. The Government of Canada will work with First Nations to develop regulations on a region-by-region basis.
