Insights and Opportunities: Challenges of Canadian First Nations Drinking Water Operators

Murphy, Heather M.; Corston-Pine, Elliott; Post, Yvonne; McBean, Edward A.

doi:10.18584/iipj.2015.6.3.7

Cited by 21 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Xie et al (1999) argue that small water systems face challenges to meet the regulatory requirements and operator training is essential to increase these systems' capacity to meet the regulations. According to Murphy et al (2015), both owners and operators should receive water system training so that they can have a better understanding of the challenges for the provision of safe drinking water. Upstream determinants are fundamental parts of the social environment where individual differences in expression of feelings, thoughts and activities are shaped (Gehlert et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship Between Operational Characteristics of Small Non-Community Drinking Water Systems and Adverse Water Quality Incidents in Southern Ontario, Canada

Sekercioglu¹

2018

Appl. Ecol. Env. Res.

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Sekercioglu et al.: Relationship between operational characteristics of small non-community drinking water systems and adverse water quality incidents in Southern Ontario, Abstract. Ensuring that water sources are safe by protecting them from disease causing organisms is integral for the continued health of people as drinking contaminated water leads to waterborne diseases which can be life-threatening. The purpose of this study is to examine small non-community drinking water systems' (SDWSs) operational characteristics and their relationships with adverse water quality incidents (AWQIs) which is defined as presence of total coliforms and/or Escherichia coli. We explored the relationship between operational characteristics of SDWSs and the occurrence of adverse water quality outcomes using de-identified data provided by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, Ontario. We examined the associations between water system operational characteristics and the adverse water quality outcome using logistic regression models. The analyses results indicated that operator training was associated with a lower risk for AWQI. None of the other predictors were significantly associated with AWQI: treatment method, water source, operating period, or sampling frequency. Our research concluded that the presence of operator training, an upstream behavioural determinant, is related to the incidence of AWQIs in SDWSs in Ontario, Canada. The high percentage of SDWSs with no treatment and lack of interest in testing for chemicals are potential areas of concern for ensuring the provision of safe drinking water from these systems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship Between Operational Characteristics of Small Non-Community Drinking Water Systems and Adverse Water Quality Incidents in Southern Ontario, Canada

Sekercioglu¹

2018

Appl. Ecol. Env. Res.

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“…This work is limited by the nature of the data that were available in the Neegan Burnside Ltd. report (2011). Unfortunately, there was no information regarding operator retention; maintenance of the water system; specific information regarding the nature of the treatment systems in place; funds available in the communities for operation, maintenance, and training; or cultural considerations that may be a barrier to the provision of water through conventional treatment practices (i.e., cultural beliefs against chlorination, which leads to an ongoing DWA) (Murphy et al 2015a(Murphy et al , 2015b. All of these factors can play into the provision of safe water in small communities, particularly First Nations in Canada.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In general, smaller systems are more vulnerable to DWAs because they have fewer resources and are often operated by people who have less experience and technical knowledge than those operating larger municipal systems (USEPA 2015, Pons et al 2014. In addition, operator retention in small communities as well as in First Nations communities presents another challenge (Murphy et al 2015a, Simeone & Troniak 2012.…”

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confidence: 99%

Using Decision Trees to Predict Drinking Water Advisories in Small Water Systems

et al. 2016

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This figure is reproduced from the National Assessment of First Nations Water and Wastewater Systems National Roll-Up Report (Neegan Burnside Ltd. 2011). The report can be viewed in its entirety at www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/DAM/DAM-INTER-HQ/STAGING/textetext/enr_wtr_nawws_rurnat_rurnat_1313761126676_eng.pdf. Colors indicate the system risk classifications based on the Neegan Burnside Ltd. assessment report (low, medium, high risk). National total (807 systems) High risk-314 (39%) Medium risk-273 (34%) Low risk-215 (27%)

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“…Similarly, we acknowledge the dedication and often heroic efforts of First Nation water treatment plant operators who maintain drinking water services despite poor raw water quality, infrastructure challenges, and often inadequate federal funding [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“We Don’t Drink the Water Here”: The Reproduction of Undrinkable Water for First Nations in Canada

Baijius

Patrick

2019

Water

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First Nation communities in Canada are disproportionately plagued by undrinkable water and insufficient household sanitation. In addition, water resource management in First Nation communities has long been a technocratic and scientific mission controlled by state-led authorities. There has been limited engagement of First Nations in decision-making around water management and water governance. As such, problems associated with access to drinkable water and household sanitation are commonly positioned as hydrological or environmental problems (flood or drought) to be fixed by technical and engineering solutions. This apolitical reading has been criticized for not addressing the root cause of the First Nation water problem, but instead, of reproducing it. In this paper, an approach using political ecology will tease out key factors contributing to the current water problem in many First Nation communities. Using case study research set in source water protection planning, this paper explains how persistent colonial practices of the state continue to reproduce undrinkable water and insufficient household sanitation. Solutions to this ‘water problem’ require greater attention to First Nations water governance capacity and structures.

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Insights and Opportunities: Challenges of Canadian First Nations Drinking Water Operators

Cited by 21 publications

References 4 publications

Relationship Between Operational Characteristics of Small Non-Community Drinking Water Systems and Adverse Water Quality Incidents in Southern Ontario, Canada

Relationship Between Operational Characteristics of Small Non-Community Drinking Water Systems and Adverse Water Quality Incidents in Southern Ontario, Canada

Using Decision Trees to Predict Drinking Water Advisories in Small Water Systems

“We Don’t Drink the Water Here”: The Reproduction of Undrinkable Water for First Nations in Canada

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