This conclusion suggests the federal government may be neglecting its best option for ending advisories: supporting efforts to train operators of First Nations water systems.
The federal government has promised to eliminate all drinking-water advisories, which Health Canada recommends be issued when drinking water is deemed unsafe.
"If your operator’s not particularly well trained, or not trained to the level where they understand all the elements of their system, you’re more likely to have trouble," Dr. McBean said.
ISC’s proposed solution for ending 32 advisories is to build a new water-treatment plant.
The training at that time was so increased that I could have gone to training every week."
More than two-thirds of those operating ISC-funded systems were certified in 2016.
Natuashish, a remote reserve in Labrador, offers an example of how unqualified operators can complicate efforts to provide safe drinking water.
ISC’s protocols state that water-systems operators must meet the certification requirements of the province in which they work.
The lack of regulations means First Nations operators may not receive sufficient time or funding from their employers to get and maintain their certifications, Mr. Gagnon added.
Despite the federal government’s promised surge in funding to end drinking-water advisories, First Nations operators and the organizations hoping to train them say they continue to operate in a climate of austerity.