Constance Lake still facing water woes

Ongoing water issues in Constance Lake First Nation continue to plague the community.
Since mid-July the community has been without clean water because of blue-green algae that has developed in the lake where the community draws its water.
The existing water treatment plant was unable to cope with the algae growth and has not been able to properly filter the water. The problem has forced chief and council to call a state of emergency July 28.
Since the week of July 18, each household in the community has been receiving 10 litres of water per day for drinking, cooking, grooming and washing dishes.
In comparison, an average Ontario household uses an average of 271 litres of water daily for residential use, according to the City of Ottawa website.
The problem with the drinking water stems from issues with the water treatment plant originally built in 1973.
In 2006 Health Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) put the community on a high priority list, designating the community to receive a new treatment plant. A year earlier, the community was put on a drinking water advisory because of equipment malfunction.
However, the community was eventually removed from the priority list despite the fact that the report, Protocol for Safe Drinking Water in First Nation Communities, said the plant did not meet current standards.
In the 2007 Federal Budget, the government announced there would be new standards to ensure that all First Nations have access to safe drinking water.
“About three years ago, it was recommended to modify the existing treatment plant but chief and council didn’t agree,” Chief Arthur Moore said.
“We didn’t like the idea of having that band aid solution; of putting old and new technology together. It wouldn’t work out.”
To deal with the present water crisis, experts from the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), INAC and Matawa First Nations Management are working with the community.
Exploratory well drilling was carried out July 29.
“They dug a well that would probably serve potable water to our community. It is being tested for iron and purturbity,” Moore said, who is waiting for the test results.
In the meantime, a tanker has been brought in to replenish the reservoir to help with backwash and filter. Each day, a 5000-gallon tanker makes 10 to 12 trips a day to the community from a generating station 15 kilometres away.
One official from southern Ontario is monitoring the Constance Lake water crisis.
After reading an article in the Toronto Star regarding the Constance Lake state of emergency, Walkerton mayor Charlie Bagnetto became concerned for the safety of the community.
The newspaper article said that First Nation members were told to boil the water. Bagnetto does not agree with that advice.
“I was just concerned. It’s not a good idea. We were told that we can’t boil that water,” Bagnetto said.
The citizens of Walkerton went through a water crisis in 2000 when the bacteria E. Coli contaminated the town’s water system, resulting in seven deaths.
“There is nothing to make blue-green algae go away. It is a do not use water advisory. You can’t even give your dog that water to drink,” Bagnetto said. “The vapour can get into your eyes, and you can’t use filtration.”
According to Bagnetto the algae will disappear when the weather changes to cooler temperatures.
“I think that is terrible what is going on with First Nations across Ontario. It comes with federal jurisdiction and without the same legislation (provincially),” Bagnetto said. “We have made Ontario the best place for drinking water. It just doesn’t make any sense.”
There are no fast solutions to the water crisis at Constance Lake.
“In the short term, INAC has committed to provide funding to the First Nation for the exploration of alternative water sources such as well drilling and the provision of a mobile water treatment facility,” Peter Saro, INAC communications officer, wrote in an email.
Saro said INAC is now working with the First Nation and its advisors at Matawa First Nations Management to further investigate the costs of a new plant for the community.
“At this time, there are no plans for new plant construction. INAC is exploring longer, more permanent options to ensure access to reliable and clean water for the community,” Saro said.
For the people of Constance Lake, it is a waiting game.
“What I would like today, as chief, is that study be completed expeditiously for a treatment plant and the source of potable water,” Moore said. “I am hoping that the government reconsiders that priority list.”