Potlotek First Nation to get new water system to fix dirty, discoloured water

The small Cape Breton First Nation of Potlotek will receive a new, multimillion-dollar water system, according tothe regional director general for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada for the Atlantic provinces.

The people ofPotlotek, near St. Peters,have suffered through ongoing problems with the reserve's water system.

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Lately, tap water has been described asthick andblack, although Health Canada has said it is safe to drink.The water is tested several times a day.

"There's a seasonal rise in the minerals of iron and manganese that cause the water to smell unpleasant and look dirty," said Chris McDonnell, the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canadaregional director.

'Not fit'

Despite assurances of safety, residents have been refusing to use the water, with many describingitas "reallygross," "disgusting" and "not fit."

Potlotek's drinking water comes from an open source, and is stored and treated in a tower before distribution.

"Since thesituationarose, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada has been providing bottled water and at the chief's request, we've increased the quantity," said McDonnell.

Bulk quantity wateris also being provided for household cleaning and portable shower facilities, and McDonnell said it is hoped portable laundry facilities will alsobeavailable by Tuesday.

Planning underway

McDonnellsays a committee has already been struck to plan the new water system.

"It involves the community, community water treatment plant operators, engineers from Indigenous and Northern Affairs and a private sector company is involved."

The committee will meet in Potlotek on Tuesday to begin discussion on the design of thenew water system andwhether itwill rely on dug wells or lake water.

It could take several years for the new system to be completed, but McDonnell said adiscussion is already underway to deal with the discoloured and foul-smelling water in the current system.

"The working group is actually looking at the possibility of quicklyadding a limestone bed treatment part to the existing system, which will decrease the manganese levels," said McDonnell.