Canada opens new water treatment facility in British Columbia

The Government of Canada has opened a new C$2.1m water treatment facility in the Toquaht First Nation’s community of Macoah in British Columbia (BC) to provide an ongoing source of clean water to residents.

The water system upgrade project comprises a slow sand filtration and chlorination system.

Of the total investment in the facility, C$1.5m was funded through the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan and departmental infrastructure funding.

The new project requires the training and hiring of three Toquaht citizens for maintenance of the facility and distribution system.

Nanaimo-Alberni MP James Lunney said that the government is committed to work in partnership with First Nations to ensure that communities have access to safe, clean drinking water.

"By working closely with the Toquaht Nation to complete this project, we are taking action to support and develop strong and healthy First Nation communities," Lunney added.

Between 2006 and 2014, Canada will have invested approximately C$3bn to help First Nation communities manage their water and wastewater infrastructure.

The Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act was proposed to enable safe on-reserve drinking water and wastewater treatment by developing required regulatory safeguards. It secured royal assent in June, allowing the government to work with First Nations to develop regulations and standards on a region-by-region basis.

The Toquaht First Nation is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, BC.

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Image: The new water treatment facility will provide clean drinking water to the residents of Toquaht; Photo: courtesy of toquaht.ca.