Ten years ago, a promise was made to eliminate long-term boil water advisories in First Nations communities across Canada. While significant progress has been achieved, dozens of advisories remain in place, highlighting ongoing challenges in ensuring access to clean drinking water.

The State of Drinking Water Advisories

In 2015, there were 93 long-term drinking water advisories (DWAs) affecting Indigenous communities. The goal was to bring that number down to zero within five years. However, federal data now shows that as of March 2025, 35 long-term advisories remain across 33 First Nations.

Drinking water advisories are issued when local water supplies are deemed unsafe for consumption. These advisories may require water to be boiled, prohibit its use for drinking and cooking, or even ban all contact due to severe contamination. Any advisory lasting more than a year is considered long-term. Some have persisted for decades, forcing communities to rely on bottled water or external water deliveries.

Efforts to Address the Issue

Since 2015, 147 long-term DWAs have been lifted, with another nine percent expected to end soon as necessary upgrades are completed. Various projects are in different stages, from construction to planning, aiming to resolve the remaining advisories.

Over 670 water infrastructure projects have been completed, and 783 more are underway. Recent successes include the lifting of long-term advisories in communities that had been under restrictions for years. However, progress has been slower than expected, with some communities still waiting for safe water solutions.

Challenges and Delays

Despite efforts, several factors have contributed to delays. A 2021 report highlighted issues such as outdated funding policies and insufficient support for operations and maintenance. Some advisories remained in place for over a decade due to infrastructure challenges, funding gaps, and the complexity of building reliable water systems in remote regions.

In 2020, it became clear that the initial five-year goal would not be met, leading to additional funding commitments without a specific deadline. Calls for long-term investments and policy reforms continue to be made, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions rather than temporary fixes.

Future Steps

With leadership changes at the federal level, organizations advocating for Indigenous rights are pushing for new policies to strengthen commitments to clean water. Proposed legislation aims to establish regulatory standards and long-term funding for water infrastructure projects, though its progress remains uncertain.

Ensuring access to safe drinking water remains a critical issue, with ongoing efforts needed to fulfill the promise made a decade ago. While progress has been made, the work is far from over, and the focus remains on delivering lasting solutions for all affected communities.