EABAMETOONG FIRST NATION — A community spokesperson says uncertainty over when their drinking water will be declared safe to consume again is causing apprehension among residents of Eabametoong First Nation.
The water treatment plant was damaged by fire on July 5, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency and the potential evacuation of up to 400 of the more vulnerable members of the remote fly-in community, along with support personnel.
Many elders, children and individuals with medical conditions were airlifted to Thunder Bay on Sunday and Monday.
But Bill Shawinimash, communications lead during the emergency, said evacuations were put on hold Tuesday because of a lack of appropriate accommodations in the city, and because of issues involving the aircraft.
For those left behind in the community of about 1,600, "there's a lot of anxiety," partly because of issues with the sewage system, Shawinimash told Dougall Media.
"The sewage is starting to go back into some of the buildings, not all of them. They're trying to resolve that by pumping lake water into the lift stations."
Indigenous Services Canada issued a statement Tuesday saying Matawa First Nations Management is working closely with Eabametoong's leadership and the federal government to implement temporary solutions re-establish water distribution while also assessing the work required to repair the plant.
It said a hazardous waste clean-up is required as well, due to chemicals involved in the fire.
The federal department said it is paying for up to 15 litres a day of bottled water per person to support drinking, cooking and basic hygiene needs, and is setting up shower kits and washing stations in addition to an on-site health clinic.
According to Shawinimash, the washing stations are still in the process of being established.
He said it's not clear yet how long it will take to repair the water plant, but "there's going to be a lot of clean-up" required.
"They were saying something like seven to ten days for that, but I know the band council is saying they want to be absolutely sure the water going into the community is absolutely safe to use."
Under its Emergency Management Assistance Program, the federal government provides funding for accommodation, food, transportation, recreational activities and on-the-ground supports for evacuees.
It said it funds 100 per cent of eligible response and recovery costs for First Nations as well as for host communities such as Thunder Bay, and for provincial governments and third-party emergency management providers.
