Photo Courtesy: Oneida Nation of the Thames
According to Elgin-Middlesex-London MP Karen Vecchio, a solution to the ongoing water woes at Oneida Nation of the Thames is imminent.
While the conserve water advisory issued last month has been lifted, a state of emergency and boil water advisory remains in effect.
Vecchio tells myFM what is planned is a hookup to the nearby Lake Huron water system.
The outstanding issue, stresses Oneida spokesperson Loredana Wainwright is financing the project.
The undertaking would require an upgrade to the Oneida system, so the total cost for the provision of water could run as high as $50 million.
A boil water advisory has been in effect at Oneida since September, 2019 and became long-term in September 2020. The advisory affects 546 homes and 22 community buildings.
Last month, Oneida Nation of the Thames Chief Todd Cornelius declared, “Our community is in crisis.”
A state of emergency had just been declared due to historic low levels in the community’s water tower.
And while an agreement may be imminent for a hookup to the Lake Huron water supply, Vecchio tells myFM, in addition to working out financial arrangements, there is also the issue of trust.
Preliminary design work has been undertaken on extending the water supply to Oneida.
“Canada is taking a reactive approach and we cannot fix this alone,” stressed Chief Cornelius in December. “The daily cost of $20,000 for a short-term solution (trucking in potable water) comes from Canadian taxpayers. Everyone should be angry at this unnecessary situation.”
Written by Ian McCallum
