New water treatment plant on the way for Kahkewistahaw First Nation

The entrance to Kahkewistahaw First Nation can be seen in this file photo. (Mick Favel/CTV News)

Ground was broken on the Kahkewistahaw First Nation where the construction of a water treatment plant will soon begin.

Both the First Nation’s leadership and residents gathered with the building contractors to celebrate the occasion.

The site selected is in the middle of the community and not far from the water plant that has served Kahkewistahaw since 1988.

“I think it is important to ensure that we have something that is modern. Something that we can use for generations to come,” said Kahkewistahaw Chief Evan Taypotat.

The current water plant has gone through four upgrades. Over the years, as the Nation’s population has grown, so has the plant.

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A large part of this population spike are children between Kindergarten and Grade 6. Taypotat says the Nation’s leadership are thinking about the future and being able to sustain more people in time.

“This is a long time coming. We have members who are coming home. We are building homes. We need a better facility to address our needs,” said Michael Bob, a councillor for Kahkewistahaw First Nation.

Accessing clean drinking water has been a longtime issue for many First Nations across Canada.

Since 2015, long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted. There are still 40 long-term water advisories in 37 communities.

“Great progress is being made. It is all about making sure we concentrate on the solution,” Liberal MP and secretary of state for rural development Buckey Belanger told reporters in Regina on Monday.

Get it done so people in Indigenous communities don’t have these reoccurring problems year to year,” he concluded.

At a cost of $23 million to build the treatment plant, $20.5 million was contributed by Indigenous Services Canada, with $2.5 million contributed by Kahkewistahaw.

Construction is expected to last 18 months. When in operation, the plant will supply water to every home and building on the Nation, including the homes in the valley.

“We see other communities that are healthy … Part of being healthy is having good water," said Taypotat.

“That’s what we want for our people.”

SAL Engineering, Quorex, and BCL Engineering are contracted to work on the project.