Kaschechwan First Nation is facing a water crisis, leading families to rely on just one case of water bottles daily. Keisha Paulmartin, a 15-year-old resident, expressed concerns over the limited supply not being sufficient for households with multiple families or children.
The community situation escalated when Chief Hosea Wesley declared a state of local emergency on January 4 due to the deteriorating conditions of the water treatment and wastewater plants. The water treatment plant’s pumps malfunctioned in early December, causing a disruption in the water treatment process. Subsequently, the wastewater treatment plant also experienced issues with its sewage intake.
Residents like Sinclair Williams find the circumstances unacceptable, emphasizing the basic necessity of water that should not be compromised. The evacuation of vulnerable members to nearby towns like Timmins and Kapuskasing began on January 7 to ensure their safety.
The community, comprising 2,300 residents, lacks permanent road access due to its location along the James Bay coast, necessitating evacuations by air during emergencies. Efforts are underway to coordinate a comprehensive evacuation plan with the federal and provincial authorities.
For individuals like Paulmartin and Petersen Spence, evacuations are a recurring part of life, particularly during the annual spring floods in the flood-prone region. Despite the familiarity with evacuations, the uncertainty surrounding the current water crisis has heightened concerns among residents.
Indigenous Services Canada has deployed personnel from Northern Waterworks to repair the water treatment plant, with ongoing efforts to address the plant’s issues. However, the completion timeline for the repairs remains uncertain, leaving residents anxious about the situation’s duration.
