Saskatchewan

8 drinking water advisories throughout prairies lifted, feds announce

Eight drinking water advisories affecting Prairie First Nations, including one active since August 2009, were lifted last month by the federal government.

4 of the advisories had been active for more than a year

A close-up photo of a water tap with water flowing out of it.
The federal government has lifted four long-term and four short-term drinking water advisories in the prairies last month. (Tim Graham)

Eight drinking water advisories affecting Prairie First Nations, including one active since August 2009, were lifted last month by the federal government.

Three long-term advisories, defined as being in effect longer than one year, were lifted in Saskatchewan, according to the Department of Indigenous Services (DISC).

Poundmaker First Nation's advisory had been in place since Aug. 19, 2009, Cowessess First Nation's since Feb. 15, 2017 and Red Earth Cree Nation's since June 2016. Manitoba's Pauingassi First Nation also had a long-term advisory, which had been in place since Sept. 24, 2014, lifted. 

Four short-term advisories were also lifted, according to DISC. Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation and Buffalo River Dene Nation in Saskatchewan, Fox Lake Cree Nation in Manitoba and Sunchild First Nation in Alberta had all been under advisory less than a year.

There are currently 78 long-term drinking water advisories affecting reserves across the country, according to DISC's website.