Ahousaht lifted a boil water advisory on Thursday, declaring its water quality and levels safe after spending the week under a state of emergency.
The announcement ended a harrowing week for the isolated First Nation community, which had declared a state of emergency on Nov. 4 due to soil contamination in its water reservoir.
Some of the First NationB次元官网网址檚 elders were immediately evacuated by vessel to the neighbouring community of Tofino, roughly 20 kilometres away.
B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檝e reached out to us and Tofino has responded by making our water accessible to them,B次元官网网址� Tofino mayor Josie Osborne told the Westerly B次元官网网址 on Nov. 4. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always important to support our neighbours. WeB次元官网网址檙e all in this together. They rely on us and we rely on them. We need to be there in their time of need.B次元官网网址�
The water was transported from Tofino to Ahousaht by salmon farmer Cermaq Canada.
B次元官网网址淐ermaq has a longstanding relationship with the Ahousaht community and we are happy to help in any way we can. Our thoughts are with the community and, in a small place like this, this is what neighbours do. We know Ahousaht would do the same for us if we were in a similar situation,B次元官网网址� said CermaqB次元官网网址檚 Sustainable Development Director Linda Sams.
Members of the Tofino Volunteer Fire Department accessed a fire hydrant to fill tanks that were then lifted onto a Cermaq barge by crane, according to Sams who added that the company remained active in the effort throughout the week.
B次元官网网址漌e are going to continue working closely with members of the Ahousaht Community, the District of Tofino and other local support services to ensure the community has the water required until their system is restored,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e will be setting up a recycling centre to gather the water jugs after the water supply has been returned. This is in-line with our commitment to protecting the environment and reducing micro plastics in the oceans.B次元官网网址�
An Emergency Management B.C. spokesperson said EMBC supported AhousahtB次元官网网址檚 evacuated elders through Emergency Social Services, but would not investigate the water reservoir.
B次元官网网址淭he Ahousaht First Nation has indicated that they are running low on reservoir capacity and have identified the need to relocate elders. Emergency Management BC is supporting that request with short term Emergency Social Services,B次元官网网址� said an Emergency Management B.C. Spokesperson. B次元官网网址淒rinking water systems and boil water advisories are the responsibility of local governments and water purveyors. Emergency Management BC does not support the operation of these systemsB次元官网网址ndigenous Services Canada is engaged and aware of the situation, and they are the appropriate agency to help address any water system infrastructure concerns from the community.B次元官网网址�
