SACHIGO LAKE — The chief of Sachigo Lake First Nation is marking the end of the community's four-year long-term drinking water advisory, which was lifted last month.
The remote community located about 425 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout had been under an advisory since 2018, with it being declared a long-term advisory the next year.
The advisory was lifted in October after the completion of upgrades to the community's water infrastructure, which included $29 million in work.
"As people of the land, we understand firsthand how clean water is the starting point to all life. For the people of Sachigo Lake First Nation, potable water from which we can drink, bathe and cook has been a long time in coming," Sachigo Lake First Nation Chief Robert Beardy said in a statement that was included in a news release distributed by Indigenous Services Canada.
As Chief, I am pleased that finally today, I can tell community members that the water is good, the water is drinkable and that the clean water flowing from our taps takes us one step closer towards fairness and equity, safety and well-being."
The project was carried out in partnership with the community, Windigo First Nation Council, and Indigenous Services Canada to improve the existing water treatment plant, including expanding the community water distribution system and expanding the wastewater lagoon.
“We are grateful for the efforts undertaken by those who helped us work towards this: the WFNC technical team and officials at ISC. Migwech for helping us make this a reality. Looking ahead, however, we must ensure that ISC maintains critical capital investments into Sachigo Lake's infrastructure so that our children and those yet to come can expect clean drinking water from their taps, too. But today we celebrate and offer our friends in government a big migwech,” Beardy said.
The project team was led by the chief and council, who recruited Windigo First Nation Council who provided a Technical Service Unity for the comprehensive feasibility study, and multiple contractors to complete the construction and implement these long-term upgrades.
The improvements to the water infrastructure ensure over 500 residents have access to clean drinking water for approximately 185 homes and several non-residential buildings, such as the band office, schools, community hall, daycare and hockey arena.
