The final two of four water treatment plants and distribution systems have been completed for a portion of Bonaparte First Nation, also known as St’uxwtéws, located just west of Kamloops in British Columbia.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) provided $9.8 million for the feasibility studies, design and construction of the two state-of-the-art water treatment systems near Lower Hat Creek. The department also invested $4.2 million in a new water system for the community of more than 1,000 residents in 2020, which supported the lifting of a long-term drinking water advisory.
“Today we celebrate the new water treatment plant. After two long decades of persistent water advisories, our community can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to these critical upgrades,” said Bonaparte First Nation Chief Frank Antoine in a statement. “Water is a lifeline and a fundamental right. We are grateful for this investment, it ensures the health, safety and well-being of our community and for generations to come.”
Since 2020, St’uxwtéws near Cache Creek (IR #1) has received more than $14 million in funding from Indigenous Services Canada for water treatment plants.
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Bonaparte First Nation Water Manager, Byron Porter, said “decades of uncertainty are now behind us,” as he applauded the efforts of the project’s partners and advocates, as well as current and past leaders.
Further upgrades to the community’s IR#3 water system are currently under discussion with the community, ISC announced.
Bonaparte First Nation is also known as St’uxwtéws.
As of October 2024, there are 32 long-term drinking water advisories active in 30 communities across Canada.
