PAYS PLAT, Ontario — The federal and Ontario governments are teaming up to provide funding for water treatment system improvements on two First Nations on the north shore of Lake Superior.
Pays Plat First Nation will use its share of the money to replace outdated control systems and make other upgrades to its water treatment plant.
On the Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation (Ojibways of the Pic River), southeast of Marathon, the existing plant will be decommissioned and replaced with a new one.
The federal government is investing about $3.7 million, while Ontario is contributing approximately $900,000.
The announcement was made jointly Tuesday by Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Patty Hajdu, the parliamentary assistant to Ontario Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford, and the leaders of the two First Nations.
At Pays Plat, in addition to new control systems, chlorine dosing pumps with automatic switch-over capacity will be installed, the drinkng water reservoir and valves will be cleaned, and the diesel fire pump motor will be replaced with an electrical motor to eliminate the risk of diesel contaminating the reservoir.
As well, new sand filters, lift pumps and distribution system valves will be installed.
Officials said the upgrades will improve the treatment and quality of drinking water and help prevent system failure.
The new treatment plant for the Ojibways of the Pic River will include an infiltration gallery, a low lift station with wet well and low lift pump chamber, and a below-grade reservoir.
A new conventional water treatment system, high lift pumps, fire pumps and a new septic system are also included in the project.
According to a news release, the new plant will be easier to operate and monitor, while providing better fire protection for Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation.
