MARTEN FALLS FIRST NATION, Ont. — Marten Falls First Nation has downgraded the state of emergency it called when the water system broke down last week.
Chief Bruce Achneepineskum says the system has been online for several days since emergency repairs were completed.
Accordingly, Achneepineskum said Monday, the leadership has reduced the state of emergency that was declared when residents were left without running water for two straight days.
The Chief and Council were preparing for a possible evacuation because the lack of water was creating a serious health risk.
The system was down for a total of about three days, but Achneepineskum said "We've had distribution to all homes for a few days now, so that's good. We're almost out of this state of emergency. It has been downgraded. We don't have to evacuate now."
According to Indigenous Services Canada, staff from the Matawa Centralized Water and Wastewater Hub arrived at Marten Falls the same day the emergency was declared to assess the situation and conduct repairs.
In a statement to TBNewswatch, ISC said it is working closely with the First Nation and its advisors at Matawa First Nations management to resolve any remaining issues.
Marten Falls has criticized the federal government for providing what it believes is inadequate support for its water system, housing needs and firefighting resources.
ISC said adequate operations and maintenance funding is integral to providing safe and consistent water service.
It said it has given Marten Falls $616,000 in funding for operating the system and for local water operator training in 2021-2022.
ISC is also providing $900,000 to Matawa First Nations Management for the Centralized Water and Wastewater Hub, which includes support for water operations and the certification of local operators.
In addition, the government provides $1.7 million annually for training through the Circuit Rider Training Program delivered by Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation.
ISC said that to date it has approved expenditures of over $20 million to replace Marten Falls' water treatment system.
The new system was commissioned in 2019, but ISC said the decision to lift a 20-year-long boil water advisory that still affects the community rests with the Chief and Council based on the recommendation of Matawa First Nations Management's Environmental Public Health Officer.
ISC has stated that tests showed tapwater was within Ontario government standards.
However, Achneepineskum said Monday that "minor deficiencies" with the system remain, and that more money is required to properly operate the plant.
He said word was received last month that additional funding is available, but a budget and work plan still needs to be developed.
"We were looking to have a meeting on the boil water advisory when this situation occurred with the technical failure of the system."
ISC's statement also addressed housing and fire protection.
It said that since 2016, it has provided $6.3 million for renovations to existing homes, building new homes, and capacity-building at Marten Falls.
Funding for fire training and fire prevention services is provided through Matawa First Nations Management, and ISC allocates about $170,000 annually for this purpose.
