2018WinterPipeline2

Members of the team discuss, collect, share and
expedite all details associated with the project. This
includes determining the physical structure, funding
sources (insurance, First Nation, federal government),
jurisdiction, provincial and federal regulations, and
community interests – all with the objective of
completing the project in the most efficient and
effective manner.
Describe the federal government’s response to the
disaster.
First Nations are responsible for immediate action in
an emergency situation with support from Tribal
Councils, the Circuit Rider Training Program, ISC, and
provincial agencies.
Immediately following the fire, ISC officials traveled
to the community to attend the initial emergency
response meeting. During this meeting, which had
representation from the Piapot First Nation, the File
Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council, the Province and ISC,
we committed to working with the community to
address their immediate short-term water needs. In
addition, our officials participated in a discussion
concerning funding to replace the treatment facility
that had been destroyed.
ISC also confirmed we would have representation on
the PMT, which was established to address the short,
medium and long-term water supply needs of the
community.
What supports does ISC provide to communities to
help ensure plants are being operated by certified
operators?
ISC provides funding to First Nations communities to
train water treatment plant operators.
Trained and certified plant operators are key to
reducing risk and to help ensure safe drinking water
in First Nation communities. To support First Nations
in developing and retaining the capacity to operate,
service and maintain public on-reserve water and
wastewater systems, ISC funds the Circuit Rider
Training Program and operator certification training.
The Circuit Rider Training Program is a mentoring and
long-term capacity-building program that uses
traveling trainers, called Circuit Rider Trainers. The
Circuit Rider Trainers visit First Nation communities
such as Piapot, to assist operators in obtaining and
maintaining their certification to manage and
operate their respective facilities.
Circuit Rider Trainers also provide system operators with on-site,
hands-on training on how to operate, maintain, and monitor their
communities’ drinking water and wastewater systems. Water quality
monitoring on reserve is overseen by First Nations Inuit Health and
they also provide support and training for this.
The goals of the Circuit Rider Training Program include:
n
n
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Supporting on-reserve water and wastewater system operators
in developing and maintaining the capacity to manage their
systems;
Improving the maintenance, management and effectiveness of
on-reserve drinking water and wastewater systems;
Reducing the number and duration of drinking water advisories
(DWAs); and,
Helping First Nations communities to realize the full-service life
of their water and wastewater infrastructure.
Has it been determined when the new plant will be completed,
operational and commissioned to the First Nation?
No. As the PMT is only in the feasibility and pre-design stage, we cannot
confirm a date as to when the new plant will be completed and ready for
operation. From start to finish, the process to plan, tender, build and
commission a water treatment plant usually takes approx. 2 years.
As noted by INAC and stated by Don Poon in the phone interview the
process for building a new plant takes time as does approval. We will be
watching and following up in the New year with the steps being taken to
get a good working solution in place while the new plant is being
approved and built.
It is not always easy to work through and handle an incident like this one
but a few huge things to note happened during this crisis:
1
A community pulled together, remained optimistic and was
helpful ensuring the fire did not spread and that the grass fire
was controlled
2
3
The Piapot
Water was restored to the school within 24 hours of the fire
ensuring class time of only one day was missed
The operators of the Piapot First Nation worked hard with the
project managers brought in (Don Poon and Lawrence Lukey)
to find a solution that would work for the time being.
community
has banded
together and
remains
positive