WC131 JulyAugust 2023 - Magazine - Page 17
First Nations, I’ve heard firsthand the concerns of Indigenous
communities. It’s through connections with Indigenous
communities and collaboration with agencies such as Indigenous
Services Canada, Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment
Conservation and Parks, the Chiefs of Ontario, OFNTSC, and
AFN that have allowed me to advocate for the adoption of a
more comprehensive approach to water projects.
The following six actions enable project teams to better support Indigenous communities and government agencies as they
build stronger connections and adopt a more comprehensive
approach to Indigenous infrastructure:
Build a baseline of water quality data Knowing how water quality
cycles for at least a year or more is a critical first step to effective
treatment. Regular investment in water quality and infrastructure
tests assesses health safety, environmental, and sustainability
risks. A database of raw and treated water quality can also inform
fluctuating operational costs specific to a region, project and/or
seasonal variations in treatment levels. Tailoring long-term goals
to known or potential risks helps Indigenous communities secure
additional funding.
Project consultants and/or teams with local or accessible
resources are better suited to support Indigenous communities.
Communicate your availability to travel to and from the site to
support ongoing operations and resolve issues when they arise.
Hold community sessions throughout design and construction
Community education is vital to fostering confidence in
water infrastructure among Indigenous people. They want to
understand the treatment processes and how challenges will be
managed. Non-technical explanations can demystify the project
and thought processes behind the approach. Hold community
sessions early in the design phase to ensure you have ample time
to explain how the infrastructure will work, how the project will
provide local job opportunities, and most importantly, to build
confidence and respond to community concerns.
Community sessions can also stimulate interest in O&M as a
career, diversifying the marketplace and drawing talent to remote
communities. Acknowledge unique community struggles and
that conventional water treatment systems aren’t a ‘one size fits
all’ solution. Offer examples or quantifiable data to support the
project and establish a stronger, more trustworthy connection
with the community.
Pilot test water treatability Organizations like the Walkerton Clean
Water Centre offer water treatability testing, which includes
determining how water reacts to different chemical treatments
and verifying the necessary processes for optimal water quality.
Incorporating this testing into your project plan can support
your community’s project, informing feasibility studies for new
or rehabilitated infrastructure.
Clearly demonstrate your O&M expertise Underfunding has led
to significant deterioration in existing water and wastewater
infrastructure. As Indigenous communities grow and design
standards modernize, water demands increase, stressing aging
systems. Indigenous Services Canada has taken steps to rectify
this by increasing operations and maintenance (O&M)
funding levels, a much-needed change for many communities.
Prioritizing O&M in planning and procurement enables a
comprehensive understanding of ongoing operational needs
and allows for its incorporation into the project’s design and
construction.
By sharing O&M insights from similar projects, you can show
Indigenous project owners your team’s ability to assess operational assumptions and identify areas for improvement. Leverage
your existing relationships with regulatory bodies and provide
examples of how you’ve managed adversity on similar projects.
Sustainable O&M extends beyond the means to operate the
facilities and includes ongoing training for Indigenous operators.
Consider elements beyond O&M and supplier manuals, such as
standard operating procedures (SOPs) that offer operators invaluable step-by-step solutions to typical and/or emergencies.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
Engage existing water treatment plant staff early Including existing
and future water treatment plant staff in a project’s design and
construction phases provides operators with the opportunity
for greater understanding of the plant’s processes. Engaging
directly with suppliers also gives staff more time to adjust to
new treatment systems and equipment, ask questions, and
learn directly from suppliers long before the plant becomes
operational. Design consultants and contractors also benefit
from early engagement, as operators can share past experiences
and offer end-user perspectives possibly overlooked during plant
design.
Establish an asset management plan Ongoing asset management
enables project owners to set long-term objectives and build a
long-term planning framework. Considering the entire lifecycle
of water assets is essential to ensure they perform consistently,
make the most of available capital funding, and are maintained
as part of a sustainable, cost-effective plan. Project managers
can support Indigenous communities in the developing and
using their asset management plan and offer guidance on how
to optimize O&M costs, mitigate risks, and enhance long-term
performance.
Establishing trust and working closely with Indigenous
communities is paramount to the future success of water infrastructure and resolving the Indigenous water crisis. By building
strong, collaborative relationships and making proactive adjustments, new infrastructure can be effectively integrated and
maintained post-project completion.
WATER C AN ADA • JULY/AUGUS T 2023
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