New water treatment facility opens in Liard First Nation, Canada

A new C$4m water treatment facility has been provided to the citizens of Liard First Nation in Yukon, funded by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC).

The water treatment plant aims to provide a safe and reliable water source for the community. The facility supplies clean drinking water that is in line with Canadian drinking water guidelines and AANDC water protocols.

As well as the plant, the project also included the construction of wells, a truck bay garage and filling station and an emergency power supply.

The Liard First Nation water treatment plant will treat water using greensand filtration, which reduces hardness, iron, manganese, turbidity and chlorine disinfection in water.

Liard First Nation chief Liard McMillan said that the new water treatment facility is an investment in the health of the community to improve the quality of life of community members.

"This is valuable infrastructure that brings skills and knowledge to our community and benefits the long-term well-being of children, elders and families," McMillan added.

Canada’s Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt said: "Canada’s participation in this project is a direct result of our commitment to taking concrete steps to create the conditions for stronger, healthier, more self-sufficient First Nation communities."

The Government of Canada is investing in water and wastewater infrastructure in First Nation communities through various programmes like the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program, First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan and Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

Between 2006 and 2014, the government will have spent approximately C$3bn supporting First Nation communities in managing their water and wastewater infrastructure and other related public health initiatives.