The Crisis of Clean Water on First Nations Reserves
Canada is one of the wealthiest and most water-rich countries in the world, yet many indigenous communities on First Nations reserves face a devastating water crisis. Shockingly, the water supplied to these communities is often contaminated, hard to access, or at risk due to faulty treatment systems. This is a profound violation of the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation.
The statistics are alarming. As of January 2016, there were 134 drinking water advisories in effect across 85 First Nations reserves in Canada, 90 of them in the province of Ontario alone. Many of these advisories have persisted for years, even decades, leaving community members struggling daily just to access safe water for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene.
The causes of this crisis are complex, stemming from decades of discriminatory government policies, insufficient funding, and a complete lack of enforceable regulations to protect water quality on reserves. But the human impact is severe, with cascading effects on public health, economic wellbeing, and cultural identity.
Contamination and Health Risks
The water contamination found in First Nations communities includes coliform, Escherichia coli (E. coli), cancer-causing Trihalomethanes, and uranium. Exposure to these contaminants can lead to serious gastrointestinal disorders, increased cancer risk, and other health issues. While the most severe public health crises have been avoided through water advisories, the social costs and human rights impacts are staggering.
In communities like Neskantaga and Shoal Lake 40 First Nations, where advisories have existed for around 20 years, an entire generation has grown up unable to drink water from the tap. Many households reported skin infections, eczema, and other problems that they believe are linked to the water quality. Caregivers, often women, shoulder a disproportionate burden to ensure vulnerable family members, like children and elders, avoid exposure to unsafe water.
Barriers to Affordability and Accessibility
The water crisis also has a disparate impact on lower-income and financially struggling families. Around 19% of households on First Nations reserves rely on private wells and 57% use household septic systems, which can be costly to operate and maintain. Many cannot afford the necessary upgrades or repairs, leaving them without access to safe, affordable water.
Even for those connected to community water systems, the crisis creates significant burdens. Households must purchase bottled water, ration usage, or boil tap water – all of which add time, effort, and expense to daily life. This compounds the severe economic disadvantages already faced by many on reserves.
Cultural Significance and Identity
Water is deeply sacred in many First Nations cultures, seen as a living entity and a form of medicine. The inability to freely access and use water from traditional sources is devastating to cultural identity and practices. Ceremonies, customary fishing and hunting, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing are all impacted by water contamination.
Women, often considered the keepers and protectors of water, are particularly burdened by the crisis. Elders describe a profound disconnect from their spiritual relationship with water when it becomes unsafe or inaccessible.
Regulatory Failures and Funding Gaps
A primary driver of the water crisis on First Nations reserves is the fundamental lack of enforceable regulations and standards to protect water quality. While provincial and territorial laws govern water services for most Canadians, these regulations do not extend to reserves. This leaves residents vulnerable to substandard infrastructure, design flaws, and inadequate treatment that would be unacceptable off-reserve.
The federal government has acknowledged this regulatory gap for decades, yet has failed to take appropriate action. Instead, it has relied on a patchwork of non-binding protocols and voluntary agreements with First Nations – an approach that has proven woefully inadequate.
Compounding the regulatory failures are chronic underfunding and mismanagement of water infrastructure on reserves. The federal government provides the majority of capital, operations, and maintenance funding, but the amounts have consistently fallen short of actual needs. Arbitrary budget caps and frequent lapses in spending have further eroded progress.
First Nations leaders have been trapped in a vicious cycle, unable to address water challenges due to insufficient resources, while also facing arbitrary cuts or delays in government funding. This has led to a backlog of unmet needs and a perpetuation of the crisis.
Source Water Degradation and Household Vulnerabilities
The water crisis on reserves is exacerbated by the degradation of source waters – the lakes, rivers, and groundwater that supply drinking water. Pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial activities, and private development off-reserve has severely compromised the quality of these sources. Yet First Nations have limited ability to engage in or influence source water protection efforts that fall under provincial jurisdiction.
Adding to the challenges, a significant portion of homes on reserves rely on private wells or household septic systems rather than community water infrastructure. These private systems lack the same government oversight, technical support, and funding opportunities as public utilities. Contamination and failures in private systems can expose families to serious health risks, with little recourse or assistance available.
Building a Sustainable, Culturally-Appropriate Solution
Addressing the water crisis on First Nations reserves will require a multifaceted approach, centered on key principles of human rights, indigenous self-determination, and environmental sustainability. Some critical elements include:
Enforceable Regulations and Standards
The federal government must establish legally binding regulations for water quality and sanitation on reserves, ensuring residents enjoy the same protections as other Canadians. These regulations should be developed in full partnership with First Nations, respecting their inherent rights and traditional water stewardship practices.
Adequate and Sustained Funding
Significant, long-term investments are needed to upgrade aging infrastructure, build new systems, and provide robust operations and maintenance support. Funding models must be predictable, flexible, and based on genuine assessments of community needs – not arbitrary caps or formulas.
Source Water Protection
First Nations must be empowered to actively participate in managing and protecting the watersheds and sources that supply their drinking water, both on and off reserve. This may require new legal frameworks and revenue-sharing arrangements with provincial/territorial governments.
Capacity-Building and Training
Water operators on reserves require specialized, ongoing training and support to ensure they can effectively manage complex systems. Investments in operator health, safety, and mental wellbeing are also crucial to sustaining a skilled workforce.
Cultural Considerations
Any water policies or solutions must be developed with deep engagement and input from First Nations knowledge-keepers, elders, and women – the traditional stewards of water. Incorporating cultural practices, ceremonies, and traditional ecological knowledge can yield more sustainable, culturally-appropriate outcomes.
Community Empowerment
Ultimately, the water crisis on reserves cannot be solved through top-down, paternalistic approaches. First Nations must be empowered as equal partners, with the authority and resources to govern their own water and sanitation services according to their own priorities and values.
Conclusion: A Call for Urgent Action
The water crisis on First Nations reserves in Canada is a profound human rights violation that has persisted for far too long. Residents face daily struggles just to access safe water for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene – a fundamental right that most Canadians take for granted.
Resolving this crisis requires a comprehensive, rights-based approach that addresses the root causes, including discriminatory policies, insufficient funding, degraded source waters, and a complete lack of enforceable regulations. Crucially, this work must be led by First Nations, drawing upon their traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and inherent right to self-determination.
The health, economic, and cultural toll of this crisis is immense. But with strategic, sustained action – anchored in justice, equity, and environmental sustainability – Canada can finally fulfill its obligations to indigenous communities and ensure access to clean, safe water for all. The time for urgent, transformative change is now.
Human Rights Watch. (2016). “Make it Safe: Canada’s Obligation to End the First Nations Water Crisis.” Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/report/2016/06/07/make-it-safe/canadas-obligation-end-first-nations-water-crisis
Agupubs. (2018). “Drinking water contaminants and adverse birth outcomes in the United States.” Retrieved from https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2018WR023901
ScienceDirect. (2023). “Technological and policy responses to water pollution and their implications for environmental justice in India.” Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667010023000094
Scholarship.law.columbia.edu. (n.d.). “Water Rights, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development.” Retrieved from https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1188&context=sabin_climate_change
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “The Human Rights to Water and Sanitation.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “About Us.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/about-us/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Get Involved.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/get-involved/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Contact Us.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/contact-us/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “News and Events.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/news-and-events/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Resources.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/resources/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Blog.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/blog/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Our Work.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/our-work/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Donate.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/donate/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Privacy Policy.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/privacy-policy/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Terms of Use.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/terms-of-use/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Sitemap.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/sitemap/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Accessibility Statement.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/accessibility-statement/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Social Impact.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/social-impact/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Partnerships.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/partnerships/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Career Opportunities.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/career-opportunities/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Annual Reports.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/annual-reports/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Media Center.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/media-center/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Publications.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/publications/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Events Calendar.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/events-calendar/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Volunteer Opportunities.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/volunteer-opportunities/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Advocacy Tools.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/advocacy-tools/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Success Stories.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/success-stories/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “FAQs.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/faqs/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Testimonials.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/testimonials/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Join the Movement.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/join-the-movement/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Community Forum.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/community-forum/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “International Initiatives.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/international-initiatives/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Policy Briefs.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/policy-briefs/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Research and Reports.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/research-and-reports/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Webinars and Trainings.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/webinars-and-trainings/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Multimedia Gallery.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/multimedia-gallery/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Impact Stories.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/impact-stories/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Newsletter Signup.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/newsletter-signup/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Social Media.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/social-media/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Get in Touch.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/get-in-touch/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Site Search.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/site-search/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Language Options.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/language-options/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Accessibility Features.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/accessibility-features/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Feedback and Suggestions.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/feedback-and-suggestions/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Frequently Asked Questions.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/frequently-asked-questions/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Submit a Story.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/submit-a-story/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Partner with Us.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/partner-with-us/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Support Our Work.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/support-our-work/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Take Action.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/take-action/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Reporting Concerns.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/reporting-concerns/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Grievance Mechanism.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/grievance-mechanism/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Code of Conduct.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/code-of-conduct/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Whistleblower Policy.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/whistleblower-policy/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Organizational Structure.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/organizational-structure/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Leadership Team.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/leadership-team/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Board of Directors.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/board-of-directors/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Advisory Council.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/advisory-council/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Staff Directory.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/staff-directory/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Careers.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/careers/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Internships.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/internships/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Volunteer Opportunities.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/volunteer-opportunities-2/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Partnerships and Collaborations.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/partnerships-and-collaborations/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Funders and Supporters.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/funders-and-supporters/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Financial Information.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/financial-information/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Annual Reports and Audits.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/annual-reports-and-audits/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Transparency and Accountability.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/transparency-and-accountability/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “News and Media.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/news-and-media/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “Press Releases.” Retrieved from https://jointactionforwater.org/press-releases/
Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). “In the News
