Build on a Validated Learning Strategy
CHALLENGE: The ʔaq̓am community, also known as the St Mary’s Indian Band, is located about 10 minutes outside of Cranbrook, in the southeast corner of British Columbia. Many homes in the ʔaq̓am community have water with high iron, manganese, fluoride or a combination of other contaminants. Most homes in the community receive water in large 20L jugs, which is used for drinking and cooking. The community has a well water system and reservoir to serve the community office, school, healthcare centre and a nearby resort. There is no centralized water treatment/disinfection for homes, and the current wells are shallow and susceptible to contamination. Homeowners report that their clothes get stained an orange colour, that the plumbing in their house (especially dishwashers, coffee machines and shower heads) wear out fast and require replacement. They also describe their feet turning orange and occasional skin rashes, which they believe are caused by poor water quality.
SOLUTION: The ʔaq̓am community has prioritized the wellbeing of their residents, and water infrastructure is listed as a core component of that mission. In 2011, the community released a community strategic plan. Within the ʔaknukak (infrastructure) section, they seek to provide “high-quality public buildings and other infrastructure essential for a healthy community and ecosystem.” The third objective states: “provide healthy, clean drinking water to all homes and community buildings.” As part of a pilot project, two homes were chosen to receive POE treatment systems.
KEY CONSIDER ATIONS: In many rural settings, decentralized treatment is a more viable option versus centralized systems used in larger towns and cities. Decentralized systems may collect and treat water for a single home. In partnership with the ʔaq̓am community, ongoing monitoring of the POE systems allows not only for ensuring the treated water remains safe, but also to monitor the effectiveness of the POE-style of decentralized treatment.
The ʔaq̓am community in BC addressed high iron and fluoride levels by installing point-of-entry treatment systems in two homes to improve water quality and support their infrastructure goals.
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Water Health Equity
One in six Canadians, including the majority of 1.6 million Indigenous people, live in rural areas and often face exposure to negative health and socio-economic impacts from unsafe drinking water. It’s a persistent crisis that has dragged on for decades, a dubious achievement for a rich nation often celebrated as a global humanitarian and human rights leader.
Treading Water
To tackle water advisories in Indigenous communities, we created "Treading Water," a 20-minute play with UBC's research-based theatre experts. The play highlights the experiences of water operators and communities, aiming to spark dialogue on water quality issues.
Operators’ Walkthrough Lab (OWL): Digital Circle in Action
RESEAU created AR apps for virtual walkthroughs of water treatment plants, enabling community input, reducing design errors, and providing remote monitoring and training. These tools were piloted at Yukon University in 2020 to support operator training and design accuracy.
