Responsibility for providing water and wastewater services to First Nations is shared among Band Councils, Health Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. First Nations Band Councils have primary responsibility for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of water and wastewater systems. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada provide funding to assist with the provision of water and wastewater services within reserve communities. Health Canada works in partnership with First Nations communities to monitor drinking water quality.

In Canada, the incidence of disease as a result of water contamination is considerably higher in First Nations communities than in the general population. In 2003, an assessment of water and wastewater system in First Nations communities found that, of the 740 community water systems assessed, about 29 percent posed a potential high risk that could negatively impact water quality; another 46 percent were classified as medium-risk systems. The remaining 25 percent were in the low or no risk category.

During the assessment of water and wastewater systems, six major deficiency areas were identified. These are related to: 

• design and treatment technology;
• operation and maintenance;
• operator skill levels;
• monitoring;
• operational equipment dysfunctions; and
• water source.

In 2003, in an effort to improve these conditions, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and Health Canada, in partnership with First Nations representatives, created the First Nations Water Management Strategy. The water and wastewater assessment was one of the actions of the First Nations Water Management Strategy.

In 2006, First Nations representatives, regional and headquarters staff of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, regional and headquarters staff of Public Works and Government Services Canada, the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada, and Environment Canada collaboratively developed the Protocol for Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities. This document contains standards for design, construction, operation, maintenance, and monitoring of drinking water systems in First Nations communities and is intended for use by First Nations staff responsible for water systems. The Protocol for Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities was developed as part of the Standards Development & Implementation element of the First Nations Water Management Strategy.

Link to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Adapted from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada: National Assessment of Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nation Communities