The federal government says it has improved the quality of drinking water on reserves in the past year, significantly reducing the number of water systems considered high risk.

In a report released Thursday by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the government says the number of high risk water systems on reserves has been reduced to 97 from 193. High risk means the systems have major deficiencies in several areas, the report says. 

The report, Plan of Action for Drinking Water in First Nations Communities, says 21 native communities were put on a priority list a year ago and seven of those have been removed from the list because of improvements to the quality of their drinking water.

Now, 14 First Nations communities continue to be priorities for the government because they have both a high risk water system and a drinking water advisory in place, the report says.

If a problem arises in a high risk system, the report says, the system is unlikely to cope and the problem could result in unsafe drinking water.

Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice told CBC News that the government is trying to improve water quality in First Nations communities but there are ongoing challenges.

"One of the issues is just the ongoing functioning, the maintenance, the reporting on these systems. There will always continue to be some issues here and there," he said.

Hotline set up

A year ago, the government announced a plan of action to create safe drinking water in First Nations communities. The report this week assesses the progress made so far.

In the federal budget unveiled on Monday, the government promised that there will be new standards to make sure First Nations have access to safe drinking water. Legislation on the issue is expected this spring.

The government, as part of its ongoing plan to improve First Nations drinking water, has also set up a 24-hour hotline for water system operators on reserves across the country.

The report says the technical support is needed because only 37 per cent of operators on reserves have received enough training to be certified.

According to the report, 418 of 1,117 water system and backup operators on reserves are certified. The 37 per cent is an increase from eight per cent in March 2003.

The 24-hour emergency hotline, available since Dec. 28, 2006, allows water system operators to call for technical support so they can get answers to problems before they turn into serious health risks.

"This means that oversight experts are available to immediately go on-site in the community to address emergency situations," the report reads.

The report says the government is trying to strengthen its training program for water system operators in part to make it available to all First Nations.

The government also plans to ensure that water systems on reserves are frequently assessed and occasionally visited by what the report calls oversight operators. These operators will evaluate how well the water system is functioning and how well the water system operator is doing his or her job.

New book given to schools

Educational materials, the report adds, are part of the action plan to improve drinking water on reserves.

The government has been distributing a new book, Water is a Treasure, to schools across the country with significant numbers of First Nations students to raise awareness of the importance of clean and reliable drinking water and encourage careers in the water sector.

The book tells First Nations children how to conserve fresh water and how to keep it from becoming contaminated. One suggestion is that they turn off the tap instead of letting it run as they brush their teeth.

Health Minister Tony Clement told CBC News that the book is a good idea. It was produced by Health Canada, Environment Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

"This program recognizes that children are not just a reason for protecting the environment and promoting safe drinking water, they can also be part of the solution," Clement said.

The report says the government is developing other education materials, including door notices and radio announcements, to help First Nations people protect their health when faced with a drinking water advisory.

First Nations communities are responsible for the daily operation and management of their water systems.