Chippewa of the Thames First Nation residents told not to consume tap water
"It's been a problem at Chippewa for decades," Miskokomon said.
"We have an inadequate delivery system and an inadequate filtration system, and so it's been a struggle to maintain quality water. The system is not good enough to meet the growing needs of our community."
Residents have been told to not use their tap water for drinking, cooking, brushing their teeth or using it for baby formula. Boiling the water will not make it safe, officials say.
"It's unfiltered, raw water," Miskokomon said. "It goes through a two-stage filtration and the last stop is where the micro-organisms are being filtered out of the water. We're having trouble keeping that filter. It's supposed to last for a month, but we're going through them every three days."
Pumps that should only run eight hours per day have been running 24-7, the chief said.
Water deliveries are being arranged and the u-fill station will be operating on extended hours, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Staff will be on-site to help fill and carry just for people who need assistance, Miskokomon said.
The issue of poor water quality in First Nations communities has been frustrating for leaders and residents, he added.
"We're getting to the point where our system is so overworked and out of date that it can only handle so much. There needs to be a whole rethinking on how to do infrastructure within First Nations."
The problem with the Chippewa water was caught at 5 a.m. Monday, Miskokomon said. The nation is waiting for deliveries of specialized filters, he added.
The fix is expected to take about a week.
"We've been faced with this now for 20 years," the chief said.
"It just speaks to the inability of government to address health and safety concerns and issues within First Nations, not only within Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, but quite truthfully, nearly every First Nation in southwestern Ontario and indeed, many across Canada."
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