Daily Herald Staff
Muskoday First Nation celebrated the grand opening of their new community water plant on Thursday, an event that community members, elders and councillors said will bring long-term benefits.
“This is a great day for Muskoday First Nation to commemorate, as this new water treatment plant facility gives the Nation the ability to enhance the distribution of safe, purified and clean drinking water to the community and beyond,” Muskoday First Nation Chief Ronald Bear Muskoday said in a press release.
“This state-of-the-art water treatment plant ensures the people of Muskoday First Nation have direct access to an abundance of this Sacred Essential Element (Water) to live, thrive and survive for generations to come.”
Representatives from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) were on hand for the event. The new facility provided for a safe and reliable water supply to all homes on reserve, as well as to community buildings such as the administration building and band hall, the community health centre, elementary school, Awasis Daycare, post office, gas bar and convenience store.
“This new water treatment plant breathes life into the promise of safe and reliable drinking water for Muskoday First Nation. Now, the community can manage their own water supply in a self-determined way. Following the lead of First Nations, we will support communities’ access to clean drinking water for generations to come,” said Patty Hajdu Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.
The plant will feature an efficient system of biofilters and reverse osmosis to treat the water for many years to come. The $8.6 million project, supported by ISC, also included the installation of new wells and groundwater pumping infrastructure.
In alignment with the vision of Muskoday First Nation’s leadership, the new plant will enable the community to get their water supply close to home, instead of relying solely on the Prince Albert Rural Water Utility to meet their water needs. The community can now treat, monitor, and manage their own water supply in a self-determined way.
