First Nation Band Councils have responsibilities for ensuring that water and wastewater facilities are designed, constructed, maintained and operated in accordance with established federal or provincial standards, whichever are the most stringent.

INAC provides funding to First Nations to assist them in the provision of water and wastewater services within the reserve communities and monitors the design, construction and maintenance of the facilities. Funding is provided for capital construction or upgrading, as well as for the operation and maintenance (O&M;) of water and wastewater facilities, which includes training plant operators. INAC also funds First Nations for sharing services, such as water with neighbouring municipalities through municipal-type agreements (MTAs) when this is a cost-effective and practical solution.

HC works in partnership with First Nations communities to ensure water quality sampling, monitoring and surveillance programs are in place on First Nations lands. Water sampling and analysis are done in accordance with the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ). HCassists First Nations in identifying and resolving water quality issues.

A copy of INAC directives on water and sewage systems are available on INAC Web site: "http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ps/hsg/cih/ci/pd_e.html"

Back to Index Page