High cost of water plant connection blocking Indigenous residents from accessing clean water – CityNews Toronto

Aug 31, 2022

In Six Nations of the Grand River, just two hours away from Toronto, more than 80 per cent of households don’t have direct access to clean drinking water, despite a multi-million-dollar water treatment plant built less than a decade ago.

“We’re doing our best to progress our community as best as we can,” said Chief Mark Hill. “But there comes challenges, and one of those challenges is the access to clean drinking water, potable water.”

Six Nations of the Grand River’s main source of water is the Grand River. In 2013, a water treatment plant was built on the reserve. The $41 million project was partially funded by the federal government, with the local council contributing about $16 million. When it opened, the builder noted it could treat 4,050 cubic meters of water per day, the equivalent to 1.6 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

After a round of further expansion work in 2018, the plant serves about 570 homes out of 3,100 in the community, and two schools.

Read More: https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/08/31/water-treatment-plant-connection-six-nations-grand-river/

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