Data published on Indigenous Services Canada’s website show that 78 advisories have been rescinded since November, 2015.
Indigenous Services Canada uses a database called the Integrated Capital Management System (ICMS) to assess the risk that water systems present to the people they serve.
Annual inspections assess each system’s design, how well it’s being operated and maintained, record keeping, the operators’ training and the quality of source water; systems are then scored between 1 (presenting very low risk of producing unsafe water) and 10 (extreme risk).
“It’s really a good indication of progress," Mr. Westmacott said, "working with our First Nations partners to address the advisories before they are becoming long term.” Advisories are issued to warn people not to consume water that is unsafe, or at high risk of becoming so.
Many reserves, in contrast, have experienced advisories that drag on for years without remedy.
According to the First Nations Health Authority (which tests drinking water, inspects water systems and can recommend advisories on reserves in British Columbia), that’s an aesthetic issue, and doesn’t present a health risk.
The First Nations Health Authority later confirmed that Sahhaltkum’s manganese levels are above the new guidelines.
“And we have communities that are told they are getting a new [treatment] process.
Another common complaint from First Nations was that the nations themselves, and not the federal government, are driving the elimination of advisories.
It had been on a boil-water advisory for nearly five years.