Sandy Lake First Nation works in partnership with the Government of Canada to upgrade and expand water treatment plant

November 14, 2018 — Sandy Lake First Nation, Treaty 5 Territory, Ontario — Indigenous Services Canada

The Government of Canada is working in partnership with First Nation communities to build water and wastewater facilities and improve reliable access to safe, clean drinking water.

Today, Bob Nault, Member of Parliament for Kenora, on behalf of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced the federal government’s commitment to the community of Sandy Lake First Nation to upgrade and expand its water treatment plant.

The design phase of the project commenced in October 2018 and construction is expected to begin in December 2019. This work will provide a long-term solution to the community’s water needs. Additionally, interim repairs to the water treatment plant and distribution system are underway to address the long-term drinking water advisory that has been in place since 2002. It’s expected the advisory will be lifted in December 2018.

When completed, the expanded water treatment plant will provide safe, clean, reliable drinking water to the more than 2,600 community members that live on the reserve.

Quotes

“Our government is pleased to be partnering with Sandy Lake First Nation in implementing a long-term solution to the community’s long-term drinking water advisory that has been in place since 2002. While upgrades and the expansion of the community’s water treatment plant take shape, I am pleased that the community and Indigenous Services Canada officials will be able to implement an interim solution shortly that will allow for improved access to clean and reliable drinking water to the community, and lift the long-standing drinking water advisory.”

The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

Quick facts