A planned water treatment plant at Neyaashiinigmiing is now getting $59.8 million in federal funding to provide safe drinking water.
Indigenous Services Canada’s website says the Cape Croker Public Water system has had a boil water advisory since January 2019, which became a long-term advisory the following year.
Earlier this month, the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation put out a release on its website saying, “Indigenous Services Canada has completed a requested review of the cost estimate for the new water treatment plant and committed significant additional funds for the project.”
It had originally been allocated $24 million in 2019 for the plant itself, as well as extensions and repairs to the existing distribution system, with the First Nation contributing $700,000 of its own funds.
The cost has gone up due to new design requirements and pressures on the construction industry.
The First Nation says in a release, since 2019 those escalating costs have pushed the amount, “far past our ability to make up the shortfall.” They say they’ve been negotiating with the federal government over the past year and note a total overhaul of the water system is beyond the scope of the project, but the hope is to deal with distribution system issues in future projects.
The design phase for the plant on the shoreline south of Wilmer’s Road is expected to be done this year.
A release on the First Nation’s website says, “With this investment, the great majority of Neyaashiinigmiing residents will finally have access to safe, potable water, a right taken for granted in most communities in Canada.”
According to Indigenous Services Canada’s website, the project will ensure access to clean water for 264 homes and 20 community buildings.
There are still 26 indigenous communities in Ontario with long-term drinking water advisories in place.