8 drinking water advisories throughout prairies lifted, feds announce

Eight drinking water advisories affectingPrairie First Nations, including one active since August 2009, were lifted last month by the federal government.

Three long-term advisories, defined as being in effect longer than one year,were lifted in Saskatchewan, according to the Department of Indigenous Services (DISC).

PoundmakerFirst Nation's advisory had been in place since Aug. 19, 2009, Cowessess First Nation's since Feb. 15, 2017 and Red Earth Cree Nation's since June 2016. Manitoba'sPauingassi First Nation also had a long-term advisory, which had been in place since Sept. 24, 2014,lifted.

Four short-term advisories were also lifted, according to DISC. Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation and BuffaloRiver Dene Nationin Saskatchewan,Fox Lake Cree Nation in Manitoba and Sunchild First Nation in Alberta had all been under advisory less than a year.

There are currently 78 long-term drinking water advisories affecting reserves across the country, according to DISC's website.