Clean, safe drinking water is finally going to be flowing out of taps on the Oneida Nation of the Thames.
The Indigenous community southwest of London announced Thursday it has secured a new water source that will provide the approximately 528 homes and 22 community buildings on the First Nation with reliable and sustainable access to safe drinking water.
This new agreement between the community and the federal government will see the existing Oneida Water Supply System connected to the Lake Huron Primary Water Supply System. It will also see the capacity of the existing piped distribution system upgraded and expanded to deliver potable water and water for fire protection.
Indigenous Services Canada is kicking in over $43 million to bring treated Lake Huron water to Oneida through a new 18-kilometre pipeline from a connection point near Mt. Brydges. This money will be used to support the design and construction phases of the infrastructure project.
Oneida has been under a boil water advisory since September 2019. Last December, a state of emergency was declared over water concerns. Residents were told to conserve water and cease all non-essential use due to all-time low water levels.
"Water is life," Oneida Elected Chief Todd Cornelius said in a statement. “It’s been a long road, and while we have been resilient, we know that clean water is vital to the overall health of our community. I look forward to the day when our community can drink water by simply turning on their tap. It’s time to get to work on making this a reality."
Construction of the pipeline is expected to take between 18 to 24 months to complete.
Oneida residents were told of the new agreement during ceremonies and presentations for World Water Day on Wednesday.