National Assessment of First Nations Water and Wastewater Systems - 2009–2011

The National Assessment is a rigorous and comprehensive assessment of water and wastewater systems serving 571 participating First Nations that was conducted between 2009 and 2011. On July 14, 2011, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development announced the results of the assessment, enabling First Nations and the Department to focus resources on priorities and improve the provision of safe drinking water in First Nation communities.

The following page contains:

• a closer look at understanding the results
• the National Assessment roll-up reports (national and community)
• the Department's response to the results of the National Assessment

Understanding the Results of the National Assessment

The National Assessment results provide a substantial amount of information, much of which is fairly complicated and technical in nature. To help clarify the results and what they mean to First Nations, the Department has developed a series of informative fact sheets, including:

• Understanding the results
• an overview of the department's water protocols
• an explanation of how risk levels were assessed
• a look at the department's infrastructure and investment planning process
• the importance of capacity and training and the Circuit Rider Training Program
• a clarification of the roles and responsibilities of First Nations and the government in the water assessment and monitoring process

These fact sheets are supported by a list of detailed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) addressing all aspects of the National Assessment process.

Reports

The results of the assessment are compiled by individual community, as well as regionally and nationally. While the reports are fairly lengthy and contain meticulous details, a series of fact sheets have been developed to summarize the results and explain what they mean to First Nation communities across Canada.

The detailed regional and national reports are available below, each with an accompanying fact sheet:

National Report

• Fact Sheet: The Results of the National Assessment of First Nations Water and Water Systems
  • National Roll-Up Report

Regional Reports

• Fact Sheet: Atlantic Results
  • Atlantic Regional Roll-Up Report
• Fact Sheet: Quebec Results
  • Quebec Regional Roll-Up Report
• Fact Sheet: Ontario Results
  • Ontario Regional Roll-Up Report
• Fact Sheet: Manitoba Results
  • Manitoba Regional Roll-Up Report
• Fact Sheet: Saskatchewan Results
  • Saskatchewan Regional Roll-Up Report
• Fact Sheet: Alberta Results
  • Alberta Regional Roll-Up Report
• Fact Sheet: British Columbia Results
  • British Columbia Regional Roll-Up Report
• Fact Sheet: Yukon Results
  • Yukon Regional Roll-Up Report

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's Response to the National Assessment of First Nations Water and Wastewater Systems – 2009–2011

In response to the findings and recommendations of the National Assessment, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada has developed a Response Plan, which builds on existing programs and initiatives to support First Nation communities in providing residents with safe, reliable, and healthy drinking water.

What Information is Available?

• News Release
• Department's Response Plan to the National Assessment of First Nations Water and Wastewater Systems
• FAQs
• Fact Sheet – Understanding the National Assessment Results
• Fact Sheet – Risk Assessment of Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nation Communities
• Fact Sheet – Departmental Water Protocols
• Fact Sheet – Infrastructure and Investment Planning
• Fact Sheet – Capacity and Training
• Fact Sheet – Roles and Responsibilities

You may also be interested in:

• Health Canada: First Nations, Inuit and Aboriginal Health – Drinking Water and Wastewater  
• Environment Canada: Water