A fly-in northern First Nation on the western shore of James Bay in Ontario declared a state of emergency on January 4 after a failure at its water treatment plant led to sewage contaminating the community’s drinking water supply.
The incident began in early December, when a pump at the Kashechewan First Nation water treatment plant failed, causing issues with chemical mixing. Later in December, the community’s wastewater treatment plant’s intake began to fail, causing sewage to back up, according to reporting by CBC. The failure created an urgent public health and safety crisis, with sewage entering homes and contaminating fresh water infrastructure.
Responding technicians with Northern Waterworks said the community had no backup pumps for the lift station available at the time of the failure. While the damaged pump has since been replaced, a failed backwater valve meant contamination had already occurred.
Technicians were brought in to repair the system and restore water service, but test results from a North Bay laboratory are still pending as health authorities assess whether the water is safe to drink. Northern Waterworks technicians also told local media the system had not been adequately cleaned or maintained, compounding the challenges.
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The sewage backup flooded the community’s only health clinic, and local officials reported that many residents became ill in the weeks following the incident. Eight people have tested positive for a parasitic infection.
On January 5, Indigenous Services Canada issued a “Do Not Consume” water advisory for the community.
Kashechewan First Nation executive director Tyson Wesley said approximately 400 people were expected to remain in the community, which has a population of about 2,200. He said those staying behind are relying entirely on bottled water for drinking, cooking and showering.
The community has faced repeated evacuations since 2005 due to annual spring flooding.
“There will be no more Band-Aid solutions in my community,” said Kashechewan Chief Hosea Wesley. “I am calling on Canada and Ontario to fast-track the relocation of the community.”
Residents have been flown out and evacuated to hotels in communities including Niagara Falls, Timmins, Kapuskasing and Kingston, nearly 1,000 kilometres away.
Wesley said Kashechewan is working with Indigenous Services Canada, the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre and Emergency Management Ontario, and has also asked whether the Canadian Armed Forces could assist.
In a statement, the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response said Ontario is working with the federal government, First Nations leadership and local partners to support the safe evacuation of residents.
“First Nations in Ontario face a massive infrastructure gap. Unfortunately, Kashechewan is showing the world what can happen when that infrastructure fails,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. “Both levels of government need to work quickly to assist with this evacuation. And then we need to tackle the bigger issue: We need to close the infrastructure gap. For Kashechewan and for all First Nations.”
