Engagement 2023 to 2024: Updating the Protocol For Centralised Drinking Water Systems in First Nations communities
Engagement on draft updates to the standards for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, management and monitoring of centralised drinking water systems in First Nations communities
Current status: Open
Engagement is an ongoing process. Initial draft updates to the protocol were shared with First Nations in summer 2023. Revised draft updates addressing the feedback received will be shared with First Nations for final review, along with a 'What We Heard' document summarizing the feedback received and the resulting changes.
On this page
- The need to update the existing Protocol for Centralised Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities
- Engagement on draft updates to the protocol
- How to participate
- Who the Protocol for Centralised Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities applies to
- What the draft updates included
- Contact us
The need to update the existing Protocol for Centralised Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), in consultation with First Nations partners, is updating the existing Protocol for Centralised Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities to better support the provision of safe, clean and reliable drinking water in their communities.
The protocol provides a framework for clean drinking water in First Nations. It contains guidance and best practices First Nations can use to make sure the required standards are in place to keep their drinking water systems safe.
The protocol sets centralised drinking water systems standards for:
- design
- construction
- operation and maintenance
- management
- monitoring
It is intended for:
- First Nations staff responsible for drinking water systems
- Indigenous Services Canada employees
- Circuit Rider Training Program
- technical support organizations
- consultants
- others involved in providing advice and services to First Nations in relation to their centralised water systems.
Engagement on draft updates to the protocol
For the initial draft updates to the protocol, ISC incorporated changes to industry best practices and updated standards, and collected feedback on our existing water and wastewater protocol and policy documents from:
- First Nations
- First Nations technical representatives
- consulting engineers
- Circuit Rider Trainers
Initial draft updates were shared with First Nations in summer 2023 and from July 2023 to April 2024, ISC engaged with First Nations to obtain feedback.
ISC is now incorporating the input received from First Nations and First Nations technical representatives from all regions into a revised draft of the protocol. This revised draft will be shared with First Nations for review, along with a 'What We Heard' document summarizing the feedback received and the resulting changes.
How to participate
Our goal is to support the protection of public health in First Nations communities.
Following the incorporation of the feedback received, a revised draft protocol along with a 'What We Heard' document will be sent to First Nations in summer 2024 and will also be made available online. First Nations and First Nation technical organizations will be encouraged to provide feedback, ideas and advice to strengthen the revised draft and ensure the final updated protocol responds to First Nations' needs.
For additional information, to share your comments in writing or to set up a session to discuss the proposed revisions to the protocol, please email protocolsh2o-protocolsh2o@sac-isc.gc.ca.
Who the Protocol for Centralised Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities applies to
Any centralised water system, that is funded in whole or in part by ISC, should meet the requirements of the updated protocol if it serves 5 or more household service connections, or serves a public facility.
The updated protocol will apply to both new and existing drinking water systems.
For existing systems that do not meet the updated requirements of the protocol, First Nations may develop a corrective action plan using a risk management approach. To address deficiencies identified in a corrective action plan, First Nations may apply for funding from ISC through their regional office under the existing Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program.
What the initial draft updates included
The initial draft updates to the protocol provided greater flexibility in the design, operation and monitoring of systems, while emphasizing risk management.
Major updates included:
- updated treatment requirements and monitoring guidance
- greater focus on risk management
- emphasis on source water characterization and monitoring
- updated and expanded guidance on asset management planning
- enabling First Nations the flexibility to apply ISC protocols or the provincial/territorial regulations in their province
First Nations have provided input on these changes. The draft protocol will be updated to reflect what was heard.
Contact us
Email: protocolsh2o-protocolsh2o@sac-isc.gc.ca
Mail:
Indigenous Services Canada
Strategic Water Management
Community Infrastructure Branch
10 rue Wellington
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H4
Related links
- Protocols and guidelines for water systems
- Protocol for Centralised Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities
- Achieving clean drinking water in First Nations Communities
- Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program
- Ending long-term drinking water advisories
- Wastewater in First Nations communities
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples