First Nations seek funding for program that helped teen fix his community's water problem

The program that helped a 19-year-old solve his First Nations' drinking water problems is seeking federal funding to continue.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak's (Northern Chiefs Council)Safe Water project provides real-time monitoring of water treatment plants in five First Nations in northwesternOntario. It also provides support, training and certification for water plant operators.

The initiative was funded as a pilot project in 2015. Since then, three of the First Nations involved have been able to lift their boil water advisories.

• Liberal budget includes billions in new spending for aboriginal people
• Innovative solution for remote northern Ontario First Nations
• 10 First Nations with more than 10 years of bad water

A fourth community North Spirit Lake First Nation is expected to have safe drinking water in June after its water plant operator, Quentin Rae, 19, completes his certification through the program.

"Our experience has shown that building new infrastructure alone will not end boil water advisories," said Geordi Kakepetum, executive director of Keewaytinook Okimakanak. "Other elements must be in place to support both new and existing infrastructure,such as providing training and operational support to water plant operators, and monitoring water on a continuous basis."

First Nations leaders involved in the project are scheduled to meet with the regional director general of Indigenous Affairs Canada on May 9 to secure ongoing funding.

Thisspring's federalbudget includednearly $2 billion for water andwastewater infrastructure over five years to end boilwateradvisories in First Nations,which Prime Minister JustinTrudeauhas committed todoing within five years.

Thirty-nineFirst Nations in northern Ontario are under boil water advisories, according to the most recent information from Health Canada.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak says 14 First Nations, in addition to the ones it already oversees, are interestedin taking part in the Safe Water project.