Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, gets a tour of the new water treatment plant in Star Blanket Cree Nation from certified water operator Tyrone Starr (Photo provided by Indigenous Services Canada)

By NC Raine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Longest boil-water advisory ends

One of Canada’s longest boil-water advisories has come to an end

Aug 5, 2024 | 7:00 AM

Safe drinking water is an expectation, especially in Canada, but for the Star Blanket Cree Nation it is a life-changing event worth celebrating.

Thanks to a new $10.5 million water treatment station all 112 homes on Star Blanket Cree Nation (SBCN) and neighbouring reserves finally have access to clean, drinkable water.

“The water now tastes phenomenal,” said SBCN Councilor Matthew Nokusis. “It’s like drinking store-bought water.”

For 17 years, clean drinking water was a luxury for hundreds living on the First Nation.

“I didn’t trust it because it didn’t look right,” said Nokusis about the water before the construction of the water treatment station. “I didn’t even let my dog consume the water because it was brown. I’d rather let him drink from the slew than the water from our system.”

Previously, their water could only be used for watering gardens and plants – even washing clothes and bathing with the water was questionable as some people would break out in rashes from the water.

“People in urban centres are lucky to have a better water system,” said Nokusis. “ [They don’t] have to think about the water that comes from their system.”

According to watertoday.ca, Star Blanket had one of the longest boil water advisories in Canada. There are still five long-term boil water advisories on public systems in reserves in Canada, and 31 active boil water advisories in Canada.

“This is a huge deal,” said Nokusis. “Some people have lived with this for so long that they still don’t know if they can trust it. Seventeen years is a long time.”

Living without safe drinking water became a way of life on the First Nation.

“Sometimes the water was clear, sometimes it was so brown you couldn’t even see through it,” he said.

Ending one of Canada’s longest standing boil-water advisory was monumental.

“For too long, the people of Star Blanket Cree Nation couldn’t trust the water coming out of their taps. This time is over,” said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services. “Thanks to the dedication of Star Blanket Cree Nation, community members now have reliable access to safe drinking water for generations to come.”

Hadju said there are now 70% fewer long-term drinking water advisories in First Nations communities across Canada than there were in 2015. She said they have plans to continue the work.

In addition to the new water treatment plant, there is also drilling and construction of a new raw water well in the community, and rehabilitation of an existing water well, as well as flushing of the water distribution system.

“This memorable moment in our history aligns with our traditions and beliefs,” said Chief Michael Starr. “We honour the water and what it represents to our community. We can now use the water feeling comfort knowing the water is clean and safe to consume.”

Nokusis is not taking the clean drinking water for granted.

“The water is so clear that now I want to purchase a washer and dryer,” he said. “It won’t turn my clothes brown now. They will actually stay white.”