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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
The Northwest Territories has been handed a C for its job at safeguarding residents' drinking water.

Special Comment by James Stauch Northerners lead the way in stewarding "Canada's Great Basin" The GNWT earned special recognition for passing a motion in 2007 that recognized the fundamental right to water, but lost points because it does not place enough emphasis on source water protection. - Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison/NNSL photo

National drinking water grades Ontario: A Nova Scotia: A- Manitoba: B+ New Brunswick: B+ Newfoundland and Labrador: B P.E.I.: B- Quebec: B- Saskatchewan: B- B.C.: C+ Northwest Territories: C Alberta: C- Yukon: D+ Nunavut: D Federal government: F

The result was published in a report by Ecojustice, an environmental protection organization, that ranked every province and territory, as well as the federal government.

The grade represents a drop since the last report in 2006, when the territory received a C+, and ranks the NWT tenth nationwide, ahead of just Alberta, the Yukon and Nunavut.

Randy Christensen, Ecojustice staff lawyer and author of the report, titled Waterproof 3, had a mix of praise and criticism for the territory.

The GNWT earned special recognition for passing a motion in 2007 that recognized the fundamental right to water, but lost points because it does not place enough emphasis on source water protection.

The territorial government's 2011-2015 Water Stewardship Strategy was noted for its comprehensive approach, although Christensen said only time will tell whether it is effective at protecting source water and improving testing standards.

"It's likely out of that effort many good initiatives will occur, including source water protection, but at this point it's too early in the process to take those efforts into our findings," he said.

Currently, no water sources in the NWT are protected in legally-binding plans, according to the report.

The report was also critical of the federal government, which was handed an F by the organization.

One reason, Christensen said, is the "shameful" conditions in First Nations communities, which it has a clear responsibility to protect.

"There is perhaps no better determinant of public health than our safety of drinking water," he said.

"Everyone should be aware of where the drinking water comes from and the effects of efforts that are being undertaken on a local level."

Christensen noted that a challenge in the NWT is that the community, territorial and federal government share different responsibilities when it comes to the safety and quality of drinking water.

Community governments are responsible for operating and maintaining water treatment plants; the GNWT is responsible for regulating water supply systems, providing certification, training and support for plant operators, inspecting plants and reviewing water quality data; and the federal government developed the Canadian drinking water guidelines, which the territory follows.

Grade criticized

Tom Williams, deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, said the grade doesn't reflect the reality in the NWT.

"I think there might have been some misinformation on the rating. The GNWT has a water and waste water certification program," Williams said referencing the Ecojustice press release. The group has since admitted its press release was incorrect. However, Christensen said the grade was based on table information which was presented correctly but erroneously reported in its release and therefore the C rating stands.

Though the operator certification program used to be voluntary, it has been mandatory since April 2009, Williams noted.

"We have made a conscious effort to ensure that the training is happening at the community level," he said.

Currently, 23 out of 30 water treatment plants in the territory are operated by certified workers.

Eleanor Young, assistant deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, said the remaining seven plant operators are working toward certification.

"Generally, those folks are under some kind of supervision," she added.

Williams said that while they're still working toward ensuring all operators are certified, the territory deserves a mark higher than a C.

"I think we pride ourselves that we are providing clean and pristine drinking water for the residents," he said.

Advisories ongoing

In 2011 four NWT communities were placed on boil water advisories.

In the summer, Tulita observed an advisory for two weeks, Hay River for three weeks and Enterprise for three weeks.

In Sachs Harbour, residents have had to boil their water since June 14 because of ongoing problems with the water treatment plant.

The advisory was set to be lifted last Tuesday, according to mayor Priscilla Haogak, but the same day a key part broke.

"It's the strangest thing," she said. "It just goes to show we have to be prepared for anything and everything."

In 2009, residents observed an eight-month-long advisory after the water treatment plant's chlorination pump broke.

Haogak said the advisories make life a bit more tedious, but that on Banks Island water quality is always in the back of residents' minds.

"We don't just take it for granted that we're drinking this water," she said.

Fixing the water treatment plant has been the hamlet council's number one priority, she said, and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been hands-on in helping them find a solution.

The national drinking water report card is the third such report released by Ecojustice. Previous reports were released in 2006 and 2001.

It assigns grades based on a variety of criteria, including water policies, programs, legislation, treatment and testing requirements, source water protection, transparency and accountability.

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