August 24, 2007

Progress

Native community opens state-of-the-art treatment plant

Physiochemical treatment and effective granular filtration methods are going to be employed at a new water treatment plant inaugurated in a small native community in rural Quebec in recent months.

Located in Mashteuiatsh, a small reserve situated about 300 km northwest of Quebec City, build costs were $5.4 million, including community funds and $4.2 from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

The plant produces water of a quality complying with the standards under the Protocol for Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities and the standards enacted under Quebec’s Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water.

Physiochemical treatment and granfular filtration is followed by disinfection of water using chlorine and ultraviolet radiation.

The community of Mashteuiatsh supervised the project from start to finish, in collaboration of the Conseil tribal Mamuitun and specialists in the water supply and treatment sector.

The new facility is expected to meet the community’s water consumption needs for the next 20 years. In addition to the new purification equipment, work was completed expanding the underground drinking water reservoir.

On March 21, 2006, government officials announced a plan of action for water quality on First Nations. It 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.

Robert Walker

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