Waywayseecappo First Nation

Waywayseecappo First Nation in Manitoba is home to approximately 1,822 people on reserve. The community is currently completing repairs to their existing water treatment plant and exploring options for building a new plant, with support from Indigenous Services Canada.

There is 1 long-term drinking water advisory affecting 80 homes and 6 community buildings:

• a do not consume advisory on the Waywayseecappo Valley Public Water System was set in September 2023 and became long-term in September 2024

The advisory is in place due to high levels of manganese in the water supply. The community's K-12 school has a separate water treatment system, which is not affected by this advisory.

For the short-term:

• the community is trucking in water from a neighbouring community to supplement the local supply of safe drinking water

For the medium-term:

• initial phase of repairs and upgrades to the existing water treatment plant is complete. Early results indicate significant improvements in water quality. The community is now conducting detailed monitoring of the water treatment plant. The community will then assess if further work is needed or the advisory can be lifted

For the long-term:

• design of a new water treatment plant to meet future water needs of the entire community is underway

Operational support is being provided to the community through the Circuit Rider Training Program.