ATTAWAPISKAT, Ont. - After a state of emergency was declared in earlier this month in Attawapiskat due to unsafe drinking water, the federal government says it is working on short-term and long-term solutions to help the people in the community.
Minister of Indigenous Services, Seamus O’Regan, was in the community situated on the James Bay Coast on Sunday where he met with the chief, council, and community members.
“When we got there, you are confronted with a community that is deeply concerned about its water supply,” O’Regan said.
The state of emergency was declared by chief and council in Attawapiskat after it was found the community’s water had potentially harmful levels of trihalomethanes, which form when chlorine in drinking water reacts with organic and inorganic material.
“There’s the immediate thing that needs to be done as far as making sure the people feel safe and don’t have to be afraid in drinking the water right now,” said Attawapiskat Chief Ignace Gull. “The long term will take a little bit longer. I’m not sure, I’m not a technician, but hopefully, something can be done as early as possible.”
While in the community, O’Regan said he outlined the short-term and long-term work that needs to be done to help the people of Attawapiskat.
“In the short term, we are bringing up more health care professionals to take a look at kids and families and to belay concerns community members may have about their health,” he said. “That is a primary concern.”
“Also a primary concern is making sure the water system as it is right now is improved. We are bringing up technical staff on Tuesday to improve hydraulics and values and flushing out the system.”
O’Regan added that the THM in the water is above levels that are safe, but it takes long-term exposure before feeling any negative consequences.
“The point is not that, the point is this community is jarred and they don’t have faith in their water system,” he said. “So we have to do these short term things to make sure we get it right.”
“At the same time, we are working on long term solutions so we are sitting down with the community, chief and council, to work on a comprehensive community plan,” O’Regan continued. “Let’s fix the short term problems so you have confidence and faith in the water system right now, but let’s work together to build you a better system.”
The government has committed $1.5 million for repairs to the existing treatment plant and supplies are already in the community to begin work, as well as two community members trained, so the work is expected to begin immediately.
“There’s the immediate thing that needs to be done as far as making sure the people feel safe and don’t have to be afraid in drinking the water right now,” O’Regan said. “The long term will take a little bit longer. I’m not sure, I’m not a technician, but hopefully, something can be done as early as possible.”
Eabametoong First Nation has also declared a state of emergency due to water issues and O’Regan said he will be in touch with the community’s leadership very shortly.
“We have to talk to them,” he said. “One thing I am not a big fan of is preconceived notions of one size fits all. The only way you create lasting solutions is by coming to the community, listening to the community, working with them, and building solutions from the ground up.”
