ABOUT WATER ADVISORIES
Water is sacred to the Cree Nation. Protecting and conserving water in Eeyou Istchee is essential to miyupimaatisiiun, the land and our harvests, our medicines and ceremonies. We all have a role to play as stewards of water in our communities.
Eeyou Istchee has well-managed and well-maintained drinking water systems. Safe drinking water is a collective, intersectoral responsibility. It is bound by laws and regulations, health standards, regular and reliable testing, mandatory licensing, operator certification and training requirements, and swift, strong action during adverse water quality incidents.
Each Cree Nation Council oversees and manages its community's drinking water system and leads the response to any incidents.
Drinking water advisories are occasionally called in exceptional circumstances due to maintenance work or temporary issues identified in the system that can usually be addressed quite quickly.
Water advisories are issued to inform community members about potential issues with local drinking water sources.
Advisories include recommended actions people can take to protect their health while steps are taken to safeguard the community’s drinking water sources.
There are different types of advisories, depending on what the issue is with the water. Recommendations for what you should and shouldn't do will depend on the type of advisory declared.
Types of Water Advisories
What to do when there’s a Boil Water Advisory in your community.
What to do when there’s a Do Not Drink Water advisory in your community.
What to do when there’s a Do Not Use Water advisory in your community.
A conserve water advisory is issued when a community’s tap water supply is low. The water itself is not contaminated.
Different situations require water advisories, including when:
- Regular testing of drinking water samples shows signs of microbial contamination (for example, E. coli, fecal coliforms, total coliforms).
- There is high turbidity in the water (it’s cloudy or hazy because of particles or sediment).
- Equipment failure causes loss of regular water treatment or pressure.
- A natural disaster damages infrastructure (such as flooding, broken pipes, etc.).
- There is chemical contamination above recommended limits (such as lead, copper, etc.).
Local environment administrators and water operators flag any water quality incidents reported from regular drinking water sample testing. They evaluate the risk, consider issuing an appropriate advisory based on the situation, and oversee steps to correct the issue.
Cree Nation Councils communicate advisory information to community members according to their protocols and channels.
The Cree Nation Government provides technical support to communities during water quality incidents, as needed.
Local laboratories also report abnormal drinking water sample test results to the Ministry of Environment and regional public health authorities.
The Public Health Department supports risk evaluation, and ensures measures are in place to protect the community population’s health during any advisory in effect.
Public Health will investigate any outbreaks potentially linked to water.
The Communications Department will disseminate internal advisory information to all staff and employees in Eeyou Istchee, and local public messages as needed.
Explore More About Water
Water is essential for Miyupimaatisiiun. There is no healthier drink than water – it helps your body work properly and feel healthy.
